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Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan vows to 'crush militants' Boko Haram attacks prompt Nigeria state of emergency
(40 minutes later)
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to "crush" the militants behind a series of bomb attacks across the country on Christmas Day. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has declared a state of emergency in areas worst affected by attacks from the Islamist group Boko Haram.
Speaking at a church in the capital, Abuja, where 37 died, he described the Islamist Boko Haram militant group as "cancerous", AFP news agency reports. Borders would be closed temporarily in the north-eastern states of Yobe and Borno, and central state of Plateau.
Mr Jonathan vowed to "crush" Boko Haram, which killed dozens in attacks across the country on Christmas Day.
Speaking at a church in the capital, Abuja, where 37 people died, he described Boko Haram as "cancerous".
Later, announcing the state of emergency in a televised address, Mr Jonathan said: "The temporary closure of our borders in the affected areas is only an interim measure designed to address the current security challenges."
He added that his chief of defence staff had been instructed to take other "appropriate" measures, including setting up a special counter-terrorism force, Reuters news agency reported.
His remarks follow urgent meetings held with security services.His remarks follow urgent meetings held with security services.
Boko Haram is thought to be responsible for a string of major attacks across Nigeria this year.Boko Haram is thought to be responsible for a string of major attacks across Nigeria this year.
It bombed the headquarters of the UN in August 2011, leaving at least 21 dead and has targeted police as well. Sectarian fears
The attacks on Christmas Day left at least 42 dead. Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes in Maiduguri and other cities which have been attacked by Boko Haram, especially in Yobe state. It bombed the headquarters of the UN in August 2011, leaving at least 21 dead and has targeted police as well. It has also in the past targeted Muslim leaders.
The president said Boko Haram "started as a harmless group...They have now grown cancerous," AFP reports. At least 42 people died in the Christmas Day bombings of churches and other targets. Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes in Maiduguri in Borno State, as well as other cities.
"And Nigeria, being the body, they want to kill it. But nobody will allow them to do that," he said. The president said Boko Haram had "started as a harmless group" but had "now grown cancerous".
While offering his condolences to victims' relatives at St Theresa's Church in Abuja the president is quoted by Reuters as saying: "We will crush the terrorists. If there are institutions...which are harbouring terrorists, we will deal with them," "Nigeria being the body, they want to kill it," Me Jonathan added. "But nobody will allow them to do that."
Boko Haram wants to impose strict Sharia law across Nigeria. While offering his condolences to victims' relatives at St Theresa's Church in Abuja the president said: "We will crush the terrorists. If there are institutions... which are harbouring terrorists, we will deal with them."
Boko Haram, which originated in Maiduguri, wants to impose strict Sharia law across Nigeria.
Earlier this week, Nigeria's main Christian group warned that the community might have to defend itself if the security forces could not protect it.Earlier this week, Nigeria's main Christian group warned that the community might have to defend itself if the security forces could not protect it.
Analysts said the move raised the spectre of communal clashes in Africa's most populous nation, which is divided between a largely Muslim north and a mainly Christian and animist south.Analysts said the move raised the spectre of communal clashes in Africa's most populous nation, which is divided between a largely Muslim north and a mainly Christian and animist south.
The leaders of Chad and Cameroon, which are close to Maiduguri, are reported to have held talks about how they can help prevent the violence spreading across their borders.