Boko Haram can’t hold government to ransom – Mark

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Senate President, David Mark said the Boko Haram insurgents cannot hold the government and people of Nigeria to ransom, even as he threatened that government can no longer tolerate a situation where insurgents and terrorists continue to kill innocent citizens at will without provocations.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Mark said this when he decorated the newly promoted police officers attached to his office with their new ranks, where he lamented the un-abating activities of terrorists, which is ravaging the north eastern parts of Nigeria.

He charged Nigerians to rise up against the activities of the insurgents, even as he explained that the agenda of the Boko Haram and their sponsors was to destabilize the country, hence they have refused to dialogue with government.

“If the perpetrators of these violent crimes would not come to the negotiating table to dialogue with authorities in order to address whatever grievances they may have, government would be left with no option than to deploy its might to deal with the situation”, he said.

He further said that irrespective of how disgruntled or angry the insurgents may be, there is no justification for them to continue to kill Nigerians and destroy properties at will as way of life.

While admitting that Nigeria is passing through very difficult times and challenges, he said the country certainly does not need wars and restrictions, even as he advocated for Nigerians to live and work together as free people.

“We need a country where all citizens have equal opportunities, where no one is oppressed or molested”, he said.

Meanwhile, he has sympathized with Benue state governor, Gabriel Suswam, who was attacked by gunmen at Tse -Kenyi village while inspecting the destroyed community, adding that the situation calls for vigilance on the part of every citizen, just as he asked for support and cooperation for the security operatives to succeed in onerous task of protecting lives and properties.