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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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