By Passman Akpos
Abuja, November 5, 2025 — Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently collaborate with U.S. President Donald Trump, the United States government, and Nigeria’s international allies to decisively combat terrorism and insurgency in the country.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, Senator Dickson emphasized that Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national institutions must be respected, but also warned that the persistent terror attacks and the government’s inability to completely subdue jihadist groups have made external collaboration necessary.
> “I wish to state, firstly, that Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national institutions must be respected by all. At the same time, I fully support any collaborative action aimed at eradicating the murderous bands of terrorists who have wantonly slaughtered thousands of our countrymen and women — Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths alike,” Dickson declared.
The former Bayelsa governor lamented that for nearly 15 years, Nigeria has faced relentless attacks from extremist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS, al-Qaeda, and newer formations like Lakurawa and Wulowulo, which continue to wreak havoc across the country.
He recalled how the insurgency began in Borno State before spreading to other parts of the northeast and now engulfing regions once considered secure, including Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Taraba, Niger, and Kwara States, as well as the Middle Belt areas of Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna.
> “Places of worship — both churches and mosques — have not been spared. School children have been kidnapped, killed, or forcefully married off. Till today, Nigeria has not fully accounted for many abducted students, such as Leah Sharibu and some of the Chibok girls,” he noted.
Senator Dickson expressed grave concern over reports that terrorists still maintain control of certain territories in Borno, Zamfara, and Katsina, where they reportedly collect taxes and impose their own rules, describing this as “a direct affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty.”
The lawmaker also cited long-standing frustrations within the National Assembly over the persistent killings, saying the Senate has repeatedly drawn attention to the worsening security situation. He revealed that the Senate recently mandated its leadership to interface with the Presidency and to dispatch a non-partisan team of experts to Washington D.C. for discussions on counter-terrorism cooperation.
Reflecting on the failures of past administrations, Dickson criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari’s approach to national security, alleging that his preference for appointing only Muslims as heads of security agencies deepened public mistrust and worsened perceptions of bias.
> “The failure of successive governments to prevent, arrest, or punish perpetrators decisively created room for conspiracy theories, including alleged state complicity under the Buhari administration,” he stated, recalling warnings once issued by former Defence Minister General T. Y. Danjuma over killings in Taraba State.
The senator maintained that Nigeria can no longer face terrorism alone and must urgently rebuild international and regional alliances to secure its people.
> “As Nigerians, we must be honest with ourselves that the killings have gone on for too long and the security forces have been overwhelmed. We need help! No nation can confront terrorism in isolation,” he declared.
He also urged President Tinubu to address diplomatic lapses, especially the prolonged absence of appointed ambassadors, noting that this has weakened Nigeria’s capacity to leverage its foreign relations in the fight against terror.
> “I have, on several occasions, as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, raised concerns about the non-appointment of ambassadors for over two years. This anomaly should be corrected to enable our country maximise its diplomatic resources,” he advised.
Senator Dickson concluded his statement with a passionate appeal for national unity and divine intervention:
> “May God help Nigeria.”
