Due to increasing insurgency, President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday declared Emergency rule in Borno, Yobe an Adamawa States.
In a nationwide television address, the President warned the terrorists that the government will use all resources at its disposal to destroy their activities as they are embarking on a war they cannot win.
While giving the military power to deploy more troops to the affected states, search and arrest any suspected individual, he said that the declaration will not affect the functions of the state governors and other public office holders as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
Basing the declaration on Section 305 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, he said that details of the Proclamation will be transmitted to the National Assembly in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
He said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
