Jonathan Declares State Of Emergency In Borno, Yobe, Adamawa States

In what appears to be about the boldest step taken by the Federal Government in tackling the insurgency in the northern part of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in three states, namely: Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.In a nationwide broadcast, President Jonathan said the growing insecurity in these troubled states compelled him to exercise his powers as enshrined in Section 205 Subsection 1 of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers him as the chief security officer of the country to declare a state of emergency in any troubled area.
The President said the state of emergency is a necessary step to halt the insurgency of the dreaded Boko Haram members who have turned down the offer of dialogue and amnesty extended to them by the Federal Government.
Describing the sect’s activities as a calculated attempt to undermine the sovereignty of the country and as a declaration of war, President Jonathan said the activities of the terrorists have “prevented the government from performing its constitutional responsibilities” and caused fear among Nigerians.