Lawmakers in Nigeria resumed from their recess and called on President Goodluck Jonathan to declare total war on insurgency in the north east, insisting that the acts of terrorism must be brought to an end.
While the lawmakers were away, the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, battled with Nigerian Army in some states in the north-east.
Also, while they were away, the dreaded Ebola Virus was confirmed in Nigeria, leaving so much for the lawmakers to handle on resumption.
The lawmakers called for a national honour for the female doctor, Ameyo Adedevoh, who died from the Ebola Virus while treating patients infected with the virus.
They resumed this week but they had their hands full, as they sort to attend to national issues that emerged while they were on a long recess.
The Gavel this week looks at the parliament’s reactions to the violence of insurgency and the Ebola outbreak, which they commended the health ministry and health workers for their remarkable efforts in containing the spread of the virus.
The Senate President, David Mark, stressed the need for the growing atrocities of the Boko Haram sect to be tackled with serious commitment.
“The escalation of violence and the heinous crimes daily perpetrated by insurgents and terrorists including the declaration of a caliphate have reached an alarming proportion.
“The Boko Haram sect has become more emboldened and daring, killing innocent Nigerians and destroying property at will. They have declared total war on Nigerians,” he said.
He called for a clear and concise mission statement on how to win the war, insisting that security agencies must, as a matter of urgency, “fish out all the financier of the terrorist wherever they are and bring them to book”.
Some other Senators condemned the crimes, insisting that the reason for establishing a government was to ensure the security of Nigerians.
At the House of Representatives, the issue of 2015 general elections and the need to ensure that it was peaceful were emphasised by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal.
He stressed that all efforts must be made to ensure the safety of Nigerians wherever they live, referring to the insurgency in the north-east which he said was threatening Nigeria’s unity and territorial integrity.
The resumption of primary and secondary schools in Nigeria was also considered by the House of Representatives Committee on Education at a meeting with the Ministry of Education.
