Address by President Jonathan on state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, Plateau

ADDRESS BY HIS
EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT
GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN,
GCFR, ON THE OCCASION OF
THE DECLARATION OF A
STATE OF EMERGENCY IN
CERTAIN PARTS OF THE
FEDERATION IN ORDER TO
RESTORE PULIC ORDER,
PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE
FEDERATION, December 31,
2011

" Fellow Nigerians, it has
become necessary to
address you on recent
events in some parts of the
country that have
threatened our collective
security and shaken the
foundations of our
corporate existence as a
nation.
2. You are all aware of
the security challenges
which the activities of the
Boko Haram sect have
foisted on the country. What
began as sectarian crises in
the North Eastern parts of
the country has gradually
evolved into terrorist
activities in different parts
of the country with
attendant negative
consequences on our
national security.
3. Government in an
effort to find a lasting
solution to the security
threats occasioned by the
activities of the Boko Haram
sect, constituted a
Presidential Committee under
the Chairmanship of
Ambassador Usman Gaji
Galtimari, to ascertain the
immediate and remote
causes of the crises. While
efforts are being made to
implement the
recommendations of the
Committee, the crises have
assumed a terrorist
dimension with vital
institutions of government
including the United Nations
Building and places of
worship becoming targets of
terrorist attacks.
4. While the search for
lasting solutions is ongoing,
it has become imperative to
take some decisive
measures necessary to
restore normalcy in the
country especially within the
affected communities.
Consequently, I have in the
exercise of the powers
conferred on me by the
provisions of section 305(1)
of the Constitution, declared
a state of emergency in the
following parts of the
federation, namely:
(i) Borno State
a) Maidugiri Metropolitan
LGA
b) Gamboru Ngala LGA
c) Banki Bama LGA
d) Biu LGA
e) Jere LGA
(ii) Yobe State
a) Damaturu LGA
b) Geidam LGA
c) Potiskum LGA
d) Buniyadi-Gujba LGA
e) Gasua-Bade LGA
(iii) Plateau State
a) Jos North LGA
b) Jos South LGA
c) Barkin-Ladi LGA
d) Riyom LGA
(iv) Niger State
a) Suleja LGA
The details of this
proclamation will be
transmitted to the National
Assembly as soon as they
reconvene from their
current recess, for their
necessary action.
5. The Chief of Defence
Staff and the Inspector-
General of Police have been
directed to put appropriate
measures in place to ensure
the protection of lives and
properties of residents in
the affected parts of the
country. I therefore urge the
political leadership in the
affected states and Local
Government Areas to give
maximum cooperation to the
law enforcement agencies
deployed to their respective
communities to ensure that
the situation is brought
under control within the
shortest possible time.
6. The Chief of Defence
Staff, in collaboration with
other Service Chiefs, has
also been directed to set up
a special force unit within
the Armed Forces, with
dedicated counter terrorism
responsibilities.
7. As part of the overall
strategy to overcome the
current security challenges,
I have directed the closure
of the land borders
contiguous to the affected
Local Government Areas so
as to control incidences of
cross boarder terrorist
activities as terrorists have
taken advantage of the
present situation to strike
at targets in Nigeria and
retreat beyond the reach of
our law enforcement
personnel.
8. Let me assure our
neighbours, especially within
the ECOWAS sub-region, of
Nigeria’s commitment to its
international obligations as
provided by the ECOWAS
Protocol on Free Movement
of Persons. The temporary
closure of our borders in
the affected areas is only
an interim measure designed
to address the current
security challenges and will
be reviewed as soon as
normalcy is restored.
9. I commend the efforts of
our political leaders at
various levels as well as
our traditional and religious
leaders for their support for
the various conflict
resolution mechanisms and
peace building measures
that have been initiated by
this administration. We call
on the citizenry to continue
to provide useful
information to our law
enforcement agencies to
enable us arrest the
situation.
10. Terrorism is a war
against all of us. I call on all
Nigerians to join hands with
government to fight these
terrorists.
11. I wish all Nigerians a
very happy New Year.
12. Long Live the Federal
Republic of Nigeria. "