President of Nigeria declared State of Emergency in Three States

Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan on 14 May 2013 imposed a state of emergency in three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in an effort to curb the increasingly violent attacks by radical Islamist armed group Boko Haram.

The decision was taken after a series of attacks on security forces and government targets by Boko Haram in its northeast stronghold in May 2013 to restore public safety and security.

A large number of troops are being deployed immediately in these areas. A similar move was made in January 2012 following an increase in Boko Haram attacks, but earlier in that case the pronouncement only applied to specific local government areas in four states.

It has been seen that from Boko Haram fighters have surrendered in last few weeks. It was found that Boko Haram has killed more than 2000 people since it started insurgency in 2009.

About Boko Haram

Boko Haram is a jihadist militant organisation based in the northeast of Nigeria and north Cameroon. It is an Islamist organisation which strongly opposes man-made laws and westernization. The Organisation was founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2001 and it seeks to establish sharia law in the country. The group is also known for attacking Christians and bombing churches.

The group identified internationally following sectarian violence in Nigeria in July 2009, which had left over 1000 people dead. In year 2011 the group was accountable for at least 450 killings in Nigeria.