Dear compatriots,
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. We exercised restraint to allow for all efforts by both State
Governors and well-meaning Nigerians to stop the repeated cases of
mindless violence.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
well personally, i think he should have done this a long time ago...haba! na now day dey break???
