Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on the Federal Government to collaborate with the United States and other international allies to decisively tackle terrorism in Nigeria.
Senator Dickson made the call while expressing deep concern over the continued reign of terror and destruction unleashed by jihadist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS, al-Qaeda, and emerging splinter groups like Lakurawa and Wulowulo, which have terrorised the country for nearly 15 years.
He emphasized that while Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected by all, the government must equally demonstrate the resolve to cooperate with friendly nations to eradicate terrorist networks that have killed thousands of Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines.
“For almost 15 years, these murderous groups have unleashed unimaginable havoc — bombing places of worship, killing traditional rulers, kidnapping school children, and seizing territories where they impose taxes and laws of their own. This is a direct affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and should no longer be tolerated,” Dickson said.
The senator lamented that despite repeated interventions by the National Assembly and numerous proposals to the Executive, the problem of terrorism, banditry, and insurgency has continued to spread beyond the Northeast to other parts of the country, including Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Taraba, Niger, and even the Middle Belt and southern Kaduna regions.
He described the situation as a national emergency that requires international collaboration, noting that past administrations failed to address the crisis effectively, thereby fueling suspicions of state complicity.
“We must be honest with ourselves that the killings have gone on for too long. Government and security forces have been overwhelmed. We need help! No nation can confront terrorism in isolation. We must therefore work with our allies and partners to defeat this menace once and for all,” he added.
Senator Dickson also recommended that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu strengthen diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries and appoint ambassadors to fill existing diplomatic gaps, which he said have hampered Nigeria’s foreign policy engagements.
He further urged President Tinubu to work closely with former U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.S. government, and other global partners to mobilize coordinated efforts aimed at flushing out terrorists and restoring peace and stability across Nigeria.
“It is time for Nigeria to take decisive steps, both locally and internationally, to end this reign of terror. Our people have suffered enough,” he concluded.
