Seriake Dickson
Seriake Dickson, senator representing Bayelsa west, says President Bola Tinubu should collaborate with the United States and other international allies to tackle terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.
On October 31, US President Donald Trump tagged Nigeria a “country of particular concern” and accused the government of turning a blind eye to attacks on Christians.
In a statement on Wednesday, Dickson said Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be upheld, but the scale of violence across the country shows that the nation cannot confront terrorism alone.
The former governor of Bayelsa said jihadist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS affiliates, al-Qaeda-linked factions, Lakurawa and Wulowulo have carried out widespread killings in the country for nearly 15 years.
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He said the groups introduced suicide bombing in Nigeria and expanded their operations from Borno state to several parts of the country, noting that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of attacks on schools, worship centres and traditional institutions.
Dickson cited the abductions of the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls and the attack on Buni Yadi school, noting that many abductees, including Leah Sharibu and some Chibok girls, remain missing.
He said terrorist groups still hold territory in parts of Borno, Zamfara and Katsina states, where they impose taxes and exert control outside the Nigerian constitution.
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“This is a direct affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and should not be tolerated any further,” he said.
He said the senate has repeatedly raised motions on killings and recommended security reforms, including the need for a national security summit.
The lawmaker added that insecurity has spread to Sokoto, Taraba, Niger, Plateau, Benue, southern Kaduna and other regions where villages have suffered coordinated attacks.
Dickson said inadequate response by successive governments has fuelled conspiracy theories, including allegations of state complicity during the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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He said Nigeria must seek external support to stop the killings.
“No nation can confront terrorism in isolation,” he said.
He advised Tinubu to strengthen relations with the US, especially with Trump, and to work more closely with neighbouring countries.
He also urged the federal government to appoint ambassadors to improve diplomatic engagement.
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