Ekwueme, Gbonigi, Clark to Jonathan: Roll out total arsenal against Boko Haram

Elder statesmen from Southern Nigeria have enjoined President Goodluck Jonathan to declare total war against the insurgents, Boko Haram.

Rising from a meeting on Wednesday that lasted for over two hours in Abuja under the aegis of the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly, they posited that the unity of the country should not be compromised.

The Southern Assembly, which is co-chaired by former Vice President Alex Ekwueme (South East), Edwin Clark (South South) and Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi (South West) insisted the security situation must be tackled by rolling out full military arsenal against the insurgents.

Speaking after the meeting, Bishop Gbonigi said the Assembly condemned the recent abduction of over 200 girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, noting that the security situation is becoming unbearable.

He said: “We urge the President to take additional measures, including the full deployment of our military arsenal to defeat the terrorists.

“The corporate existence of the nation and collective will of the people to live peacefully together is being challenged and every patriotic Nigerian, irrespective of their tribe, religion and political affiliation, should rally round President Goodluck Jonathan as he leads the fight to take back our country from agents of darkness and self seeking bigots.

“We cannot fold our arms and watch our dear country slide into anarchy.

“The painful memories and scars of the unfortunate civil war are still very much with us.”

Also, Gbonigi enjoined security agencies to intensify efforts and bring to book those who may be sponsoring the insurgents.

Ekwueme, who was represented by Dr. Dozie Ikedife, said: “We must find solution to the issue of insecurity because it must not be beyond us.”

Clark restated his earlier call for declaration of full emergency rule in the three northern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

The Ijaw leader said: “The issue of Fulani herdsmen is another one as it has become a threat.

“If we must live together, we must find solution to that.

“We are not saying that the Fulani herdsmen should not earn a living but the killings are getting too much.”