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.
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