Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan (C, with black hat) visits St. Theresa's Catholic church, the scene of a Christmas day bomb attack, just outside the capital Abuja, December 31, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

LAGOS - Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency on Saturday in four northern states which were hit by months of violence by the Islamic sect in the country.

The Nigerian leader made this known following the insurgency of the militant Islamic sect known as Boko Haram recently.

The announcement was made by the president at 4 pm local time.

"I have in the exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of section 305(1) of the Constitution, declared a state of emergency in the following parts of the federation, namely Borno State, Yobe State, Plateau State and Niger State," the Nigerian leader declared.