ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN,
GCFR
ON THE DECLARATION OF
A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN BORNO, YOBE AND ADAMAWA STATES IN ORDER TO RESTORE
PUBLIC ORDER, PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE AFFECTED STATES OF THE
FEDERATION
MAY 14, 2013
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.
