President Goodluck Jonathan has lifted the State of Emergency which he imposed on fifteen local government areas and the four states across the country.
The State of Emergency was imposed following the 2011 Christmas Day bombing of St Theresa's Catholic Church, Madalla.
The President had on December 31st 2011 in a nationwide broadcast after visiting St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla in Niger State, where a big bomb on Charismas Day killed over 40 Christians, including passersby declaring that he was relying on the provisions of section 305(1) of the Constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
States and Local government affected include: Borno State; Maidugiri Metropolitan, Gamboru Ngala, Banki Bama, Biu and Jere LGA, Yobe State; Damaturu, Geidam Potiskum, Buniyadi-Gujba and Gasua-Bade LGA, Plateau State; Jos North, Jos South, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom LGA, in Niger State; Suleja LGA.
The President noted that the declaration of state of emergency in the affected areas had become necessary to enable security forces deal with the situation decisively, even as he described "terrorism is a war against all of us. I call on all Nigerians to join hands with government to fight these terrorists
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke in a statement at the Presidential Villa, Wednesday, said the proclamation was approved by the National Assembly for six months.
Adoke noted that "the Federal Government has after a careful review of the security situation in the affected areas, resolved to end the State of Emergency forthwith"
Adding that "This is to enable government to put in place appropriate confidence building measures to improve security in the affected areas"
"In furtherance of the end of the proclamation, the President has accordingly directed that the implementation of the following regulations made pursuant to the proclamation of a State of Emergency in the affected Local Government Areas should cease forthwith"
The affected laws are; Emergency Powers (General)regulations, 2012, Emergency Powers(Restriction Order)regulations, 2012; Emergency Powers (Reporting of persons) regulations.
Others are, Emergency Powers(Detention of Persons) regulations, 2012; Emergency Powers(Procession and meetings, etc,) regulation, 2012; Emergency Powers(Curfew) regulations, 2012; Emergency Powers(Declaration of Protection places) regulations, 2012; Emergency Powers( Possession of Explosives) regulations, 2012.
Government therefore reiterated that " with the end of State of Emergency, the appropriate authorities at the Local and State Government levels shall be responsible for the maintenance of security, law and order in the affected areas.
Government however, assured that it will continue to work assiduously with relevant stakeholders to ensure security in the country and called for concerted efforts by all citizens to secure the country.