Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday asked the country’s parliament for a six-month extension to the state of emergency in three northeastern states riven by Islamist militant violence.

“I most respectfully request the distinguished senators to consider and approve by resolution an extension of the proclamation of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states by a further term of six months from the date of expiration of the current time,” Jonathan wrote in a letter seen by AFP.