Boko Haram has installed emirs in Gwoza and Dambua, Borno State, the two towns that fell to the Islamist sect two weeks ago, Senator Ali Dume told his colleagues as Senate resumed from its two-month recess yesterday.
This is even as the Upper Chamber urged President Goodluck Jonathan to declare total war on the insurgents, advising him to mobilise all resources and efforts to that effect.
Senator Ndume, who represents southern Borno, told lawmakers that Boko Haram has literally sacked two emirs and installed their own on Monday.
His words: “I represent southern Borno and Gwoza. The challenges we are facing are more serious than what we have faced before. We, the people of southern Borno, particularly Gwoza, parts of Adamawa and Yobe know that it’s presently occupied!
“I read here on the Senate Order Paper about a threat. It’s no longer a threat; somebody is occupying that place and he’s declared it a caliphate!
“Yesterday, a new emir was installed by Boko Haram in Dambua. The original emir is taking refuge in Abuja. Boko Haram installed a new emir in Gwoza… Recently, we conceded the extension of state of emergency and it was because it could get out of hand. Can it get out of hand more than what is happening now?”, he asked.
Chairman of the Senate Committeeon Investment, Nenadi Usman, pleaded with the chamber to “look at the issue holistically because there are internally displaced persons in my constituency too.
The resolution for the declaration of total war came through a motion moved by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) and 107 senators tagged: “Threat to national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria by insurgents.” The Senate resolved that the Boko Haram challenge had risen beyond mere insurgency to a full-scale war against the Nigerian state. The lawmakers declared that only a declaration of total war by the President will offer a sustainable solution to the menace of the sect.
Ruling on the motion, Senate President David Mark, insisted that Nigeria must move beyond bandying words with Boko Haram and declare total war now.
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