Nigeria 's president declared states of emergency Tuesday for three states , blaming `` terrorists '' aimed at `` rebellion '' who have caused `` fear among our citizens and a near breakdown of law and order in parts of the country . '' The order , issued by President Goodluck Jonathan , applies to Borno , Yobe and Adamawa states in northeastern Nigeria . He also noted a rise of insurgent violence in eight other states as well , including Nasarawa , where scores of police officers were killed last week . Scores of police officers killed in central Nigeria . `` We have taken robust steps to unravel and address the root causes of these crises , but it would appear that there is a systematic effort by insurgents and terrorists to destabilize the Nigerian state and test our collective resolve , '' Jonathan said in a televised speech . Insisting they were n't simply criminals , the president said `` terrorist groups '' were staging a `` rebellion and insurgency '' that threatened Nigeria 's `` unity and territorial integrity . '' Some northern parts of Borno state have already been taken over by such groups , as Jonathan noted . Such violence over the years has been blamed on Boko Haram , whose name means `` Western education is sacrilege . '' According to Human Rights Watch , the group has killed more than 2,800 people in an escalating campaign to impose strict Islamic law on largely Muslim northern Nigeria . Attempts at dialogue -- which will continue , the president said -- have failed to curb militants ' efforts `` to progressively overwhelm the ... country . '' He cited several recent examples of violence , including the killing of `` innocent civilians and state officials , '' attacks on government buildings and facilities and the destruction of Nigeria 's flag for `` strange flags '' instead . `` These actions amount to a declaration of war and a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of the Nigerian state and threaten her territorial integrity , '' Jonathan said . `` As a responsible government , we will not tolerate this . '' The president said he 'll send more troops to the three states , adding that they and other security forces there have orders to `` take all necessary action . '' They have the authority to detain suspects and those who illegally possess weapons , take over any building `` used for terrorist purposes '' and conduct searches . `` Those insurgents and terrorists who take delight in killing our security operatives -- whoever they may be , wherever they may go -- we will hunt them down , we will fish them out , and we will bring them to justice , '' Jonathan said . `` No matter what it takes , we will win this war against terror . '' Opinion : Nigeria is a sinking ship , but we must not desert it .
States of emergency are declared for Borno , Yobe and Adamawa states . President says `` insurgents and terrorists '' are trying to destabilize Nigeria . They 've taken over part of Borno state , killed civilians and officials , he adds . `` We will hunt them down ( and ) bring them to justice , '' Goodluck Jonathan says .