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| President Goodluck Jonathan |
THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH
What began as a sectarian crisis in the North-Eastern part of the country has gradually evolved into terrorist activities in different parts of the country with attendant negative consequences to our national security.
Government, in an effort to find a lasting solution to the security threat occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram sect, constituted a presidential committee under the chairmanship of Ambassador Usman Gaji Gattimari to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.
While efforts are being made to implement the recommendations of the committee, the crisis has assumed a terrorist dimension, with vital institutions of government, including the United Nations building and places of worship, becoming the targets for terrorist attacks.
While the search for a lasting solution is ongoing, it has become imperative to take some decisive measures to restore normalcy in the country, especially within the affected communities. Consequently, I, in the exercise of the powers conferred on me, by the provision of Section 305 subsection 1 of the Constitution declare state of emergency in the following parts of the federation namely: in Borno State, Maiduguri Metropolitan Local Government, Gamboru Ngala Local Government, Banki Bama Local Government, Biu Local Government, Jere Local Government; in Yobe State, Damaturu Local Government, Geidam Local Government, Potiskum Local Government, Buniyadi-Gujba Local Government, and Gasau-Bade Local Government. In Plateau State, Jos North Local Government and Jos South Local Government, Barkin Ladi Local Government and Riyom Local Government; in Niger State, Suleja Local Government. The details of this proclamation would 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 governments to give maximum cooperation to the law enforcement agencies deployed to their respective communities to ensure that this 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 responsibility. 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-border terrorist activities, as terrorists are taking advantage of the present situation to strike a target 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 obligation provided by the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons. The temporary closure of our borders in affected areas is only an interim measure designed to address the current security challenges and would be reviewed as soon as normalcy is restored.
I commend the effort 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 methods that has been initiated by this administration.
We call on the citizenry to continue to provide useful information to our law enforcement agencies to enable us to 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 Nigeria.
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