Nigeria will not succumb to terrorism – Dogara

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has again expressed concern over mass killings and bombing of churches and mosque by Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Turaki Hassan, on Sunday, Mr. Dogara said the motive of the terrorists was to instil fear in Nigerians by engaging in mass killings of hapless citizens.

He condemned Sunday`s bomb attack on worshippers in a church in Potiskum, Yobe State, describing it as “barbaric, inhuman and wicked.”

The speaker said he is deeply worried by the “new dimension” taken by the terrorists as exemplified by the increasing spate of mass murder by the Boko Haram insurgents in recent days.

He said as men of faith, Nigerians should not lose hope in the capacity of the Nigerian State and its security apparatus to subdue the insurgents and bring the violence to expected end.

Mr. Dogara said by embarking on mass killings and annihilation of communities, the intention of the terrorists is to create doubts in the minds of the citizens to the point that they will no longer have faith and trust in the state.

However, the speaker said that, Nigeria and Nigerians will never succumb to this new dimension of terrorism and urged the people not to despair as according to him, “we shall overcome”.

“I want to use to medium to call on all men and women of faith, Christians and Muslims alike to intensify prayers to God as Nigeria is in dire need of divine intervention from the almighty God to overcome,” he said.

The speaker said, “With God on our side, there is no challenge that is insurmountable. I have strong conviction in my heart that this too, shall pass away.”

He praised the efforts of the officers and men of the military and other security agencies at the battle front and urged them “not to cave in to terrorism, as their sacrifice (s) shall not go unrewarded by the Nigerian state.”

The National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives, according to the speaker, will continue to give all the necessary support and cooperation to President Muhammadu Buhari to help equip the military with advance military hardware needed to convert terrorism and other internal aggression.

The Speaker commended Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for visiting Borno and Adamawa states recently where he reiterated the Federal government`s desire to rebuild the region.

He disclosed that a motion calling on the Federal government to convene an international donor conference for the rebuilding of the region has been drafted and will be considered by the House after its recess.