“They have touched the hearts and souls of Nigerians by abducting and kidnapping our children. Children are our future. They have in effect declared war on Nigeria and Nigerians. We are not going to sit down and fold our hands. The federal government must intensify military action against the perpetrators and bring the issue of Boko Haram to a logical conclusion, Mark said.
A statement issued by his spokesman, Paul Mumeh, yesterday said Senator Mark spoke in Asaba, Delta State at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church during the funeral service for Lady Obi-Bridget Ngbelenwa Okpuno, the mother of High Chief Uche Okpuno.
“I have been an advocate of dialogue with the Boko Haram elements in this country. But things have gone absolutely beyond bounds and no government will negotiate with Boko Haram as long as they keep our girls and our boys. They must free those they have abducted unconditionally. Nobody is going to negotiate with them on that basis,” the Senate President said.
“They must never test the will of the government. They must never test the will of the Nigerian armed forces. Above all, they must never test the will of the Nigerian people because we must stand united against evil. They must have taken government’s decision to negotiate with them for weakness. They must not. The Nigerian armed forces have performed creditably well across the globe. They will do even better at home to preserve our unity and sovereignty”, he asserted.
He however prayed that God touches the hearts of all those involved either as sponsors, individuals or in the name of Boko Haram so that they would change their minds.
“But while we pray we will take the battle to their own ground. They should return their victims unconditionally before we can call for dialogue”, he said.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State in his remarks urged the citizens to abhor acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
Source: Daily Trust
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