By our reporter

President  Goodluck Jonathan took a bold step yesterday to end the spate of gun and bomb attacks unleashed in some parts of the country by the Boko Haram sect. The president imposed a state of emergency in four states namely Borno, Yobe, Plateau and Niger.

It is, however,  ot wholesome imposition of emergency rule in the states as only 15 local governments are affected. Jonathan relies on section 305 of the 1999 constitution as amended to declare the state of emergency and takes effect only after the action would have been approved by the National Assembly. See box for details of section 305 of the constitution.

The National Assembly is currently on Christmas and New Year break, but the president said the details of the proclamation will be transmitted to the parliament as soon as it reconvenes “for necessary action.” Presidency sources told Sunday Vanguard, last night, that the emergency rule decision was the aftermath of a meeting the president had with his security chiefs at the weekend.

But Jonathan reportedly informed leaders of the ruling PDP and those of the National Assembly before unfolding the move yesterday.The Senate and some House of Representatives members have endorsed the emergency rule in the affected states. The terror acts of the Boko Haram sect peaked when, on Christmas Day,  They attacked a Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State with bombs, leaving scores dead.

Before then, they had claimed responsibility for separate attacks on the police headquarters and the United Nations (UN) office, both in Abuja, the federal capital, killing many people and injuring several others.

The Christmas Day attacks drew worldwide condemnation. The president, who addressed the nation, yesterday, in a broadcast, also said the chief of the defence staff (CDS) had been directed to, in collaboration with other service chiefs, set up a special force unit within the armed forces with dedicated counterterrorism responsibilities.

President Jonathan at the scene of the Christmas Day bombing in Madalla, Suleja, yesterday, before his declaration of state of emergency in 4 states.

“As part of the overall strategy to overcome the current security challenges, I have directed the closure of the land borders contiguous the affected LGAs so as to control incidences of cross border terrorist activities as terrorists have taken advantage of the present situation to strike at targets in Nigeria and retreat beyond the reach of our law enforcement personnel,”Jonathan added.

The text of the broadcast:

“Fellow Nigerians, it has become necessary to address you on recent events in some parts  of the country that have threatened our collective security and shaken the foundations of our corporate existence as a nation. “You are all aware of the security challenges which the activities of the Boko Haram sect have foisted on the country. What began as sectarian crises in the North Eastern parts of the country has gradually evolved into terrorist activities in different parts of the country with attendant negative consequences on our national security.

“Government in an effort to find a lasting solution to the security threats occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram sect, constituted a Presidential Committee under the Chairmanship of Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari, to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the crises. While efforts are being made to implement the recommendations of the Committee, the crises have assumed a terrorist dimension with vital institutions of government including the United Nations Building and places of worship becoming targets of terrorist attacks.

“While the search for lasting solutions is ongoing, it has become imperative to take some decisive measures necessary to restore normalcy in the country especially within the affected communities. Consequently, I have in the exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of section 305(1) of the Constitution, declared a state of emergency in the following parts of the federation, namely:

(i) Borno State

a) Maidugiri Metropolitan LGA

b) Gamboru Ngala LGA

c) Banki Bama LGA

d)Biu LGA

e) Jere LGA

(ii) Yobe State

a) Damaturu LGA

b) Geidam LGA

c) Potiskum LGA

d) Buniyadi-Gujba LGA

e) Gasua-Bade LGA

(iii) Plateau State

a) Jos North LGA

b) Jos South LGA

c) Barkin-Ladi LGA

d) Riyom LGA

(iv) Niger State

a)Suleja LGA

“The details of this proclamation will 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 Government Areas to give maximum cooperation to the law enforcement agencies deployed to their respective communities to ensure that the 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 responsibilities.

“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 have taken advantage of the present situation to strike at targets 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 obligations as provided by the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons.

The temporary closure of our borders in the affected areas is only an interim measure designed to address the current security challenges and will be reviewed as soon as normalcy is restored. “I commend the efforts 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 measures that have been initiated by this administration. We call on the citizenry to continue to provide useful information to our law enforcement agencies to enable us 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.”

We concur – Senate, Reps

The Senate and some House of Representatives members, last night, approved of the declaration of emergency rule in the Borno,Yobe, Plateau and Niger LGAs.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Enyinnaya Abaribe, in a statement, said the upper chambre will support any action by Jonathan to stop the Boko Haram killings. Abaribe urged the president to immediately forward the declaration to the National Assembly for it to take full effect, in accordance with the constitution. Some members of the House of Representatives, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, said any measure that would bring about peace in the four states was a welcome development.

Hon Olumide Osoba said the measure should have come a long time ago, saying decisive measures should be taken to halt deteriorating security situation in the affected s t a t e s .

“The move was long overdue. The president’s move is a welcome development and sends a clear signal that a few people will not be allowed to hold the country to ransom. The parliament would certainly support him, “Osoba said. In his own reaction, Hon Orke Jev said the action of the president was in order and would enjoy the support of p a r l i a m e n t .Another Rep, Herman Hembe, said Jonathan’s action was a step in the right direction and be supported by every N i g e r i a n .

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps, Hon Austin Opara, also expressed support for the president’s action “if it will bring about the peace.”

Second republic transport minister, Ebenezer Babatope, also reacting, said: ” I think the president has done the right thing. We cannot continue to watch the destruction of innocent lives. We are supposed to be a united country living in peace. What the president has done will help us to identify and deal with those responsible.” Migration fear Meanwhile, theselective imposition of emergency rule in the four states, yesterday, triggerd fresh fears.

The fears were borne out of the insinuation that the Boko Haram operatives could vacate the councils affected by emergency rule and relocate to others, and continue their bombings, thus making ineffective the presidential action. For instance, Borno has 28 LGAs whereas the emergency rule is applicable only in five; Yobe has 18 LGAs while the action holds in five; Plateau has 18 LGAs, the emergency rule is only in four; of Niger ‘s 25 states, the state of emergency is declared in only one.