Insurgency: Ebute tasks NASS on complementary strategy

Elder statesman and former President of the Senate, Ameh Ebute, has called on President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, to engage other politicians, technocrats as well as businessmen from the North-east to “join hands to help in complementing roles that will solve the lingering security crises in the region.”

Ebute urged Lawan, as the most senior political appointee from the North-east, to convoke and lead the North-east reconciliation and peace to end Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism in the area.

He stated these in a reaction to the recent call by the National Assembly on President Buhari to sack his service chiefs over the security situation in the country.

Ebute, in a letter addressed to Lawan on Wednesday, said all hands must be on deck as the fight against insurgency should not be left alone for the service chiefs.

“It is time for you to convoke and lead the North-east reconciliation and peace to end Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism. Without the hard and sustained mitigation of the Buhari Presidency, Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorism would have overwhelmed and conquered Nigeria by now. Nigerian military, especially, the Nigerian Army, led by the COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt.-Gen. TY Buratai, have exhibited tremendous courage and gallantry in the confrontations and repression of terrorists. They deserve our eulogies every day.

“It is obvious that military solutions alone, as we seem to focus now cannot quench the fire of terrorism in the North-east. There is every need to also apply political and economic solutions to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism. It is a problem which should be tackled on all fronts simultaneously. 

“We cannot dodge the reality that youth in these areas have not felt the impact of government these years. It is reason for their restlessness and why they are easily lured as willing tools in the hands of the Boko Haram insurgents. 

“This is where I find you and your office as the Number three citizen of Nigeria now relevant and sensitive. You have over delayed to act by convoking a parley among all political leaders and business moguls of the Northeast to deliberate and come out with political and economic remedies to end terrorism,” Ebute said in the letter.  

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