Boko Haram: Security forces not doing enough – Abatemi-Usman

The Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, has stressed the need for security agencies in the country to step up their fight against terrorism.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Michael Jegede, reacting to the recent onslaught launched by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the Nigerian Military in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which reportedly left scores of people dead, the lawmaker said Nigeria is in trouble.

The Senator, who described the attack as unfortunate and lamentable, stated that though the Federal Government may have made frantic effort to checkmate the activities of the insurgents, the latest development, according to him, was an indication that much still needs to be done to put a stop to the wanton killing of innocent Nigerians.

Commiserating with the government and people of Borno State, Abatemi-Usman said: “My heart goes out to the families of those affected and government of Borno State for this unwarranted attack by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, which was said to have claimed several lives and led to the destruction of property worth millions of naira. This attack has clearly shown that our security forces are not doing enough to fight terrorism in the country. The security agents must intensify their effort and must always be at alert, regardless of whatever level of progress they may have recorded at any point in time. It is very sad that with the emergency rule in place and heavy deployment of military troop to Borno State, this kind of attack could still be carried out by this deadly group. What it means therefore is that we are in trouble.”

The parliamentarian reiterated his call on those who feel aggrieved in whatever way to embrace dialogue, which in his words, remains the only valuable weapon and option for conflict resolution. Wondering why the Boko Haram members would continue to take pleasure in the slaying of guiltless citizens, he noted that the federal government has been magnanimous enough to have opened the door for them to show up for negotiation, with a view to seeing how amnesty can be granted to them.