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.
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