Pres. Jonathan declares state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe

President Jonathan has declared an indefinite state of emergency in three Northern states, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, citing insecurity. He made the announcement in a nationwide live broadcast this evening. With this declaration, the president has given the military the authority to take over the security of the states, though political office holders in the states would still continue in office.

President Jonathan said the efforts at dialogue with militants will continue but will take extra ordinary measures to maintain peace. He immediately ordered troops to be deployed to the states to arrest and detain suspected terrorists, take over of suspicious buildings, and detain persons suspected to be in possession of arms. On terrorism, he said:

"We will hunt them down, fish them out and bring them to justice. No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror"