OUR REPORTER: ADETUTU FOLASADE- KOYI, ABUJA
Senate President David Mark, yesterday expressed fears over the incursion of Boko Haram insurgents into the Yobe State Government House.
He noted that though the sect had engaged in incessant attacks since it declared war on Nigeria, Monday’s attempt to invade Yobe Government House has raised serious concern.
“Insurgents have been attacking left, right, front and back in the North East but that of Monday was frightening because they were able to get to the government house, which gave it a new dimension. That attack gave it a new dimension.”
Mark said this in response to a motion by the Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), who came under Order 43 of the Senate Standing Orders (2011, as amended).
Lawan officially informed the chamber of the activities of the insurgents in Damaturu, the state’s capital, which left scores dead.
“I will like to formally inform this Senate that Damaturu was attacked by the insurgents from about 5a.m. on Monday and the military or the armed forces battled the insurgents and controlled the situation.
“So many lives were lost but at this moment, we cannot determine the exact number of the dead and so many were also wounded and psychologically, hundreds of thousands of Yobe people and even Nigerians are traumatised by that incident.
“I spoke with you this morning on the need for me, on behalf of my colleagues from Yobe State, to make a personal explanation on what happened in Damaturu.
“Mr. President, I want to say this; that a war is not won by the name of the operation; a war is won by the operators of the operation that operate in the theatre of war.
“Our soldiers were determined to fight the insurgents. They fought very gallantly and exhibited valour and they did that because they have motivation not because there was any state of emergency existing.
Mark, however, warned against unnecessary controversy over state of emergency and activities of the military in the North East.
To this, Lawal reacted: “No controversy was intended Mr. President. The significance of what happened in Damaturu on Monday should not be lost. I believe that we can win this war if we all come together, get the proper leadership, support the leadership across all the three tiers of government and across the political parties.
“I believe that this war can be won and I believe that if we do the right thing, we will see the right result that we saw yesterday.”
Mark maintained that the magnitude of recent attacks by the insurgents has raised concern and it was only proper that the Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the dead.
“I allowed it because as I said, the dimension that it took yesterday was really frightening. I was in touch with the governor for most of the time and we were all very worried.
“Also, because of the magnitude of what had happened in the last few days – bomb blasts in Kano, the attack in Borno and the incident that took place in Damaturu, it is only proper that we observe one minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives,” Mark stated.
Meanwhile, Senate adjourned plenary for two weeks to allow All Progressives Congress (APC) senators attend the party’s screening for National Assembly members and also, allow their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts prepare for the weekend primary.
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