ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria on Wednesday lifted a state of emergency it imposed six months ago in four states following a wave of attacks blamed on the radical Islamist group Boko Haram.

"The federal government has after a careful review of the security situation in the affected areas, resolved to end the state of emergency forthwith," Justice Minister Mohammed Adoke said in a statement.

President Goodluck Jonathan imposed the measure on December 31 in the northeastern states of Borno and Yobe, as well as Niger and Plateau, in the centre of the country after attacks that claimed scores of lives.

He said at the time that the move was needed to "put in place appropriate confidence building measures to improve security in the affected areas," but Boko Haram's insurgency has continued unabated since.

The capital of Borno, Maiduguri, considered Boko Haram's base, was hit by a suicide bomb blast on Friday that killed five people.

Running gun battles between suspected Islamist gunmen and security forces led authorities to impose a round-the-clock curfew in Yobe's capital Damaturu last month.

The Islamists have also hit Plateau this year and political and military leaders said Monday that the state was "under siege" following raids blamed on livestock herding gunmen that killed more than 100 people earlier this month.

Jonathan expressed hope on Tuesday that Boko Haram insurgency would end soon, although he has faced mounting criticism over what some call his failure to stem the violence.

Boko Haram, which has said it wants to create an strictly Islamic state in Nigeria's mainly Muslim north, is responsible for more than 1,000 deaths in Nigeria since the middle of 2009.

Godjone: Dis a very bad idea considering d smatness an level of sophistication of boko haram. How do u explain such a situation? In d presence of d military, d afected citizens r living in fear how much more wen they r remuved. Who ever is pushing 4 dis must hav a rethink because remuvin d military 4rm those volatile state is lyk creating an express way 4 boko haram 4 futher atak. D must nt lift it dats my take

Bukkyade:
Boko haram is not sophisticated. Don't elevate those idiots. They re just a bunch of cowards. If they were sophisticated, they should focus on their real targets and not the defenseless citizens. They listed major govt institutions as their target but they have not been able to achieve one. The Nationa Assembly is still there standing gidigba. The transform Hilton is there. aso rock, Army defense hw, CBN, NNPC, NCC,. Their attack at the police headquarters was futile as the bomber was diverted to the car park. If they are sophisticated, they should attack and rescue their detained leaders KABIRU SOKOTO and co, at SSS . What they know how to do best is to attack defenseless worshippers in churches in the North. They chose those isolated churches out of fear of facing their real targets. COWARDS.

Bukkyade:
Boko haram is not sophisticated. Don't elevate those idiots. They re just a bunch of cowards. If they were sophisticated, they should focus on their real targets and not the defenseless citizens. They listed major govt institutions as their target but they have not been able to achieve one. The Nationa Assembly is still there standing gidigba. The transform Hilton is there. aso rock, Army defense hw, CBN, NNPC, NCC,. Their attack at the police headquarters was futile as the bomber was diverted to the car park. If they are sophisticated, they should attack and rescue their detained leaders KABIRU SOKOTO and co, at SSS . What they know how to do best is to attack defenseless worshippers in churches in the North. They chose those isolated churches out of fear of facing their real targets. COWARDS.

tonyx4x44: Don't experiment with Boko boys o!

freegaza: Source?

Bukkyade:
Boko haram is not sophisticated. Don't elevate those idiots. They re just a bunch of cowards. If they were sophisticated, they should focus on their real targets and not the defenseless citizens. They listed major govt institutions as their target but they have not been able to achieve one. The Nationa Assembly is still there standing gidigba. The transform Hilton is there. aso rock, Army defense hw, CBN, NNPC, NCC,. Their attack at the police headquarters was futile as the bomber was diverted to the car park. If they are sophisticated, they should attack and rescue their detained leaders KABIRU SOKOTO and co, at SSS . What they know how to do best is to attack defenseless worshippers in churches in the North. They chose those isolated churches out of fear of facing their real targets. COWARDS.

Godjone: Dis a very bad idea considering d smatness an level of sophistication of boko haram. How do u explain such a situation? In d presence of d military, d afected citizens r living in fear how much more wen they r remuved. Who ever is pushing 4 dis must hav a rethink because remuvin d military 4rm those volatile state is lyk creating an express way 4 boko haram 4 futher atak. D must nt lift it dats my take

TELL ME WHAT HAS THE STATE OF EMERGENCY ACHIEVED?? WHAT WAS IT DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE IN THE FIRST PLACE?

Bukkyade:
Boko haram is not sophisticated. Don't elevate those idiots. They re just a bunch of cowards. If they were sophisticated, they should focus on their real targets and not the defenseless citizens. They listed major govt institutions as their target but they have not been able to achieve one. The Nationa Assembly is still there standing gidigba. The transform Hilton is there. aso rock, Army defense hw, CBN, NNPC, NCC,. Their attack at the police headquarters was futile as the bomber was diverted to the car park. If they are sophisticated, they should attack and rescue their detained leaders KABIRU SOKOTO and co, at SSS . What they know how to do best is to attack defenseless worshippers in churches in the North. They chose those isolated churches out of fear of facing their real targets. COWARDS.