A Nigerian legislator has called for an international partnership to eliminate extremist organizations controlling territories and imposing local governance in several northern states. Senator Henry Seriake Dickson urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to work with American officials and regional neighbors following nearly 15 years of violence attributed to Boko Haram, ISWAP and affiliated networks that have abducted students, attacked religious sites and displaced communities across multiple regions.
The Bayelsa West representative noted that insurgent groups continue exercising authority through taxation and territorial control in Borno, Zamfara and Katsina despite constitutional violations, while violence has expanded into previously secure areas, including Sokoto, Niger and Kwara states. Parliamentary colleagues have repeatedly addressed escalating casualties during Senate sessions, proposing expert delegations and security summits.
Dickson emphasized that diplomatic representation requires strengthening through ambassador appointments after a two-year vacancy period, suggesting multilateral cooperation remains essential for counterterrorism effectiveness, given documented security force limitations.
The Bayelsa West representative noted that insurgent groups continue exercising authority through taxation and territorial control in Borno, Zamfara and Katsina despite constitutional violations, while violence has expanded into previously secure areas, including Sokoto, Niger and Kwara states. Parliamentary colleagues have repeatedly addressed escalating casualties during Senate sessions, proposing expert delegations and security summits.
Dickson emphasized that diplomatic representation requires strengthening through ambassador appointments after a two-year vacancy period, suggesting multilateral cooperation remains essential for counterterrorism effectiveness, given documented security force limitations.
