FULL TEXT OF PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S SPEECH.
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.
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| DR GOODLUCK E. JONATHAN |
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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