Jonathan declares Emergency in Borno, Yobe, Plateau , Niger
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday took decisive action to respond the unrelenting wave of attacks by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
He imposed emergency rule in 15 local government areas of Borno,Yobe,Plateau and Niger State as part of the strategy to check the bloody activities of Boko Haram,the Islamic sect that has held the nation to ransom for the second year running.
It was his response to popular clamour that the group be put in its place following deadly attacks on the UN office Abuja, the Police Headquarters, Abuja, the Eid-el-Kabir eve mayhem in Damaturu, Potiskum and Maiduguri and the Christmas Day bombing of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madallah near Abuja.
The President visited the church yesterday to see things for himself and it was there that he dropped hint that he was going to take drastic action against Boko Haram.
He likened the group to cancer which was bent on killing Nigeria. He vowed that he would not allow that.
He made good his vow a few hours later in an address to the nation last night.
Affected by the emergency rule are: Borno State (a) Maiduguri Metropolitan LGA, (b) Gamboru Ngala LGA(c) Banki Bama LGA; (d) Biu LGA and (e) Jere LGA
Yobe State : (a) Damaturu LGA, (b) Geidam LGA, (c) Potiskum LGA. (d) Buniyadi-Gujba LGA and (e) Nashua-Bade LGA
Plateau State: (a) Jos North LGA, (b) Jos South LGA, (c) Barkin-Ladi LGA, and (d) Riyom LGA
Niger State : (a) Suleja LGA
All land borders close to the 15 LGAs will be shut until further notice.
President Jonathan in the address said: 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.
“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.
“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.
“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) Maiduguri 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“Terrorism is a war against all of us. I call on all Nigerians to join hands with government to fight these terrorists.
“I wish all Nigerians a very happy New Year. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria .”
Unlike the whole sale State of Emergency imposed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Jonathan opted for limited exercise of his constitutional powers.
By implications, the Police and the Military will now take over the affected local government areas. They can search any suspected hideout of Boko Haram members and their sponsors.
“It is like imposing a military rule on the affected LGAs. The rule of law and all forms of democratic tenets have been suspended in the affected areas.
“This is a formal declaration of military action against Boko Haram. But the government will protect lives and properties.”
At a stage during his visit to St Theresa’s Church yesterday the president broke down in tears.
He described Boko Haram as a “cancerous” body that was bent on destroying the country.
But he vowed the group would be foiled.
Observers described his comments as the toughest in recent times against the sect — whose name means “Western education is sin” in local dialect — and its operations since 2009.
During his address in the church, many worshippers cried uncontrollably, including two women who lost their husbands and four children in the Christmas Day bombing.
Christian leaders have expressed mounting frustration over the authorities’ inability to stop the attacks, most of which have occurred in the northeast but also included the August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in Abuja that killed at least 25 people.
While Boko Haram initially sought the creation of an Islamic state in the northern part of the country some people claiming to speak on its behalf have since issued a range of demands.
There has been intense speculation over whether it has formed links with outside extremist groups, such as Al-Qaeda’s north African branch and Somalia’s Shebab rebels, although no operational connections have been proven.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has welcome the declaration of state of emergency.
He said the state was ready to support any move that is aimed at restoring lasting peace to the affected areas.
Aliyu, who is the governor of Niger State said that it was time for government at all levels to arrest the terrorist activities that have made vital institutions of government and places of worship targets of attacks.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, Aliyu pledged to work with the special task force that will be set up by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police to oversee the affairs of Suleja local Government of Niger State.
Explaining on the form of the state of emergency, the National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, later told State House correspondents that the implication of the declaration is that security forces would have extra powers to arrest and conduct stop-and-search in the affected councils.
Azazi said that the democratic institutions in the affected areas would still function.
He ruled out the possibilities of criminals relocating from the affected areas, saying it would be difficult for them to start their activities elsewhere.
Apart from the affected areas, the NSA said security agents would also work hard to monitor places where reports of possible threat have recorded, including Lagos State.
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday took decisive action to respond the unrelenting wave of attacks by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
He imposed emergency rule in 15 local government areas of Borno,Yobe,Plateau and Niger State as part of the strategy to check the bloody activities of Boko Haram,the Islamic sect that has held the nation to ransom for the second year running.
It was his response to popular clamour that the group be put in its place following deadly attacks on the UN office Abuja, the Police Headquarters, Abuja, the Eid-el-Kabir eve mayhem in Damaturu, Potiskum and Maiduguri and the Christmas Day bombing of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madallah near Abuja.
The President visited the church yesterday to see things for himself and it was there that he dropped hint that he was going to take drastic action against Boko Haram.
He likened the group to cancer which was bent on killing Nigeria. He vowed that he would not allow that.
He made good his vow a few hours later in an address to the nation last night.
Affected by the emergency rule are: Borno State (a) Maiduguri Metropolitan LGA, (b) Gamboru Ngala LGA(c) Banki Bama LGA; (d) Biu LGA and (e) Jere LGA
Yobe State : (a) Damaturu LGA, (b) Geidam LGA, (c) Potiskum LGA. (d) Buniyadi-Gujba LGA and (e) Nashua-Bade LGA
Plateau State: (a) Jos North LGA, (b) Jos South LGA, (c) Barkin-Ladi LGA, and (d) Riyom LGA
Niger State : (a) Suleja LGA
All land borders close to the 15 LGAs will be shut until further notice.
President Jonathan in the address said: 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.
“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.
“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.
“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) Maiduguri 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“Terrorism is a war against all of us. I call on all Nigerians to join hands with government to fight these terrorists.
“I wish all Nigerians a very happy New Year. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria .”
Unlike the whole sale State of Emergency imposed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Jonathan opted for limited exercise of his constitutional powers.
By implications, the Police and the Military will now take over the affected local government areas. They can search any suspected hideout of Boko Haram members and their sponsors.
“It is like imposing a military rule on the affected LGAs. The rule of law and all forms of democratic tenets have been suspended in the affected areas.
“This is a formal declaration of military action against Boko Haram. But the government will protect lives and properties.”
At a stage during his visit to St Theresa’s Church yesterday the president broke down in tears.
He described Boko Haram as a “cancerous” body that was bent on destroying the country.
But he vowed the group would be foiled.
Observers described his comments as the toughest in recent times against the sect — whose name means “Western education is sin” in local dialect — and its operations since 2009.
During his address in the church, many worshippers cried uncontrollably, including two women who lost their husbands and four children in the Christmas Day bombing.
Christian leaders have expressed mounting frustration over the authorities’ inability to stop the attacks, most of which have occurred in the northeast but also included the August suicide bombing of UN headquarters in Abuja that killed at least 25 people.
While Boko Haram initially sought the creation of an Islamic state in the northern part of the country some people claiming to speak on its behalf have since issued a range of demands.
There has been intense speculation over whether it has formed links with outside extremist groups, such as Al-Qaeda’s north African branch and Somalia’s Shebab rebels, although no operational connections have been proven.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has welcome the declaration of state of emergency.
He said the state was ready to support any move that is aimed at restoring lasting peace to the affected areas.
Aliyu, who is the governor of Niger State said that it was time for government at all levels to arrest the terrorist activities that have made vital institutions of government and places of worship targets of attacks.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, Aliyu pledged to work with the special task force that will be set up by the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police to oversee the affairs of Suleja local Government of Niger State.
Explaining on the form of the state of emergency, the National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, later told State House correspondents that the implication of the declaration is that security forces would have extra powers to arrest and conduct stop-and-search in the affected councils.
Azazi said that the democratic institutions in the affected areas would still function.
He ruled out the possibilities of criminals relocating from the affected areas, saying it would be difficult for them to start their activities elsewhere.
Apart from the affected areas, the NSA said security agents would also work hard to monitor places where reports of possible threat have recorded, including Lagos State.
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