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| President Goodluck Jonathan Making the Speech |
Dear compatriots,
It has become necessary for me to address you on
the recent spate of terrorist activities and protracted security challenges in
some parts of the country, particularly in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi,
Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa states.
These unfortunate events have led to needless loss of lives and property
of many innocent Nigerians including members of our security forces.
The recent killing of security operatives by a
cult group in Nasarawa state is particularly condemnable. I have directed that
no effort or expense be spared in identifying and bringing to justice all those
who had a hand in the killing of the operatives.
The activities of insurgents and terrorists have
been reprehensible, causing fear among our citizens and a near-breakdown of law
and order in parts of the country, especially the North. We have taken robust
steps to unravel and address the root causes of these crises, but it would
appear that there is a systematic effort by insurgents and terrorists to
destabilize the Nigerian state and test our collective resolve.
Since I returned to the country after cutting
short my visit to South Africa and aborting a planned state visit to Namibia, I
have received detailed briefings from our security agencies. These briefings
indicate that what we are facing is not just militancy or criminality, but a
rebellion and insurgency by terrorist groups which pose a very serious threat
to national unity and territorial integrity. Already, some northern parts of
Borno state have been taken over by groups whose allegiance is to different
flags and ideologies.
These terrorists and insurgents seem determined
to establish control and authority over parts of our beloved nation and to
progressively overwhelm the rest of the country. In many places, they have
destroyed the Nigerian flag and other symbols of state authority and in their
place, hoisted strange flags suggesting the exercise of alternative
sovereignty.
They have attacked government buildings and
facilities. They have murdered innocent citizens and state officials. They have
set houses ablaze, and taken women and children as hostages. These actions
amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the
authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial integrity. As a
responsible government, we will not tolerate this.
Previously, we adopted a multi-track approach to
the resolution of this problem through actions which included persuasion,
dialogue and widespread consultation with the political, religious and
community leaders in the affected states.
We exercised restraint to allow for all efforts
by both State Governors and well-meaning Nigerians to stop the repeated cases
of mindless violence.
Yet, the insurgents and terrorists seek to
prevent government from fulfilling its constitutional obligations to the people
as they pursue their fanatical agenda of mayhem, mass murder, division and
separatism.
While the efforts at persuasion and dialogue will
continue, let me reiterate that we have a sacred duty to ensure the security
and well-being of all our people and protect the sovereign integrity of our
country. Therefore, we shall, on no account, shy away from doing whatever
becomes necessary to provide the fullest possible security for the citizens of
this country in any part of the country they choose to reside.
We have a duty to stand firm against those who
threaten the sovereign integrity of the Nigerian state. Our will is strong,
because our faith lies in the indivisibility of Nigeria.
Following recent developments in the affected
states, it has become necessary for Government to take extraordinary measures
to restore normalcy. After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers
conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, sub-section 1 of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, I hereby
declare a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
Accordingly, the Chief of Defence Staff has been
directed to immediately deploy more troops to these states for more effective
internal security operations. The troops and other security agencies involved
in these operations have orders to take all necessary action, within the ambit
of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and
terrorists.
This will include the authority to arrest and
detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any building or
structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of terrorist
operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons in illegal
possession of weapons.
The details of this Proclamation will be
transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution. But in the meantime, let me make it clear that within the purview
of this Proclamation, the Governors and other political office holders in the
affected states will continue to discharge their constitutional
responsibilities.
I urge the political leadership in Borno, Yobe
and Adamawa states to co-operate maximally with the Armed Forces and the Police
to ensure that the exercise succeeds. We call on the citizenry to co-operate
with our security agencies to ensure a return to normalcy within the shortest
possible time.
I am again approaching our neighbouring
countries, through diplomatic channels, as done in the recent past, for their
co-operation in apprehending any terrorist elements that may escape across the
border.
Nigerians are peace-loving people; these sad
events perpetrated by those who do not wish our nation well have not changed
the essential character of our people.
I want to reassure you all that those who are
directly or indirectly encouraging any form of rebellion against the Nigerian
state, and their collaborators; those insurgents and terrorists who take
delight in killing our security operatives, whoever they may be, wherever they
may go, we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them
to justice. No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror.
I am convinced that with your support and
prayers, we shall overcome these challenges and together, we will restore every
part of our country to the path of peace, growth and development.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
