Tackle Boko Haram before collapse, Senators tell FG

Senators yesterday said Nigeria risks breakup if the Federal Government fails to explore available instruments of power at its disposal to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency which has claimed many lives and property.They said labelling the crisis as a Northern problem alone would not help the matter and implored the government to consider its as a war on Nigeria 'which is a threat to our sovereignty, existence and economic wellbeing.'Contributing to a motion sponsored by Senator Mohammed Sani Saleh (CPC, Kaduna Central) and 10 others on the Sunday Easter attack on Kaduna, Senators George Thompson Sekibo (PDP, Rivers) and Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) said the series of attacks by the sect might be signs of disintegration once predicted by the 'nation's detractors.''Our detractors have said that Nigeria will disintegrate by 2015. Before their prediction, there was no terrorism in Nigeria. I'm afraid what is happening now is the sign of their prediction,' Sekibo said.According to Senator Olugbenga Asafa (ACN, Lagos East), the Boko Haram insurgency might consume the nation if the government does not act fast.Also speaking, Senator Uche Chukwumerije (PDP, Abia North) called for the strengthening of security at the nation's borders and urged host communities in the North to mobilize against the attacks; while Senators Ahmad Makarfi (PDP, Kaduna) and Kabiru Gaya (ANPP, Kano) urged the government to dialogue with the Boko Haram sect.The chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security Intelligence, Senator Mohammed Magoro (PDP, Kebbi) said physical checking of vehicles would not solve the problem, noting 'we are facing a serious situation, and if we are not careful, the situation might consume us all.'The plenary session turned rowdy as PDP senators took on some of their opposition counterparts who queried whether there is government in the country or not.Immediately, Senator Adetumbi (ACN, Ekiti) raised the question, Senators Smart Adeyemi (PDP, Kogi West) and James Manager (PDP, Delta South) took on him, saying he goofed.Reacting, Senator Ahmad Lawan (ANPP, Yobe) challenged Adeyemi and Manager for condemning Adetumbi's comment.
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