Date: 2014-05-07

As the struggle to reunite the young schoolgirls abducted from Chibok by Boko Haram insurgents enters its third week – like many Nigerians and our well wishers around the world – I welcomed the reports that the Federal Government has agreed to accept foreign assistance to aid in this mission as I suggested last week.

At this decisive moment, when Nigeria’s handling of the menace of terrorism has the attention of the international community, President Goodluck Jonathan as the Commander-I-Chief must take advantage of this opening to not only utilize the expertise and equipment from our friends and allies in bringing back the abducted girls – we must take this campaign a step further: we must take the fight right to the door steps and camps of the terrorists.

Nigerians have shown that we will not be cowered by the evil of this insurgency. Our global commitment during this campaign to#BringBackOurGirls has demonstrated our combined keenness on preserving the unity of our nation. We must build on this – or we shall lose our newfound momentum.

For too long, many of our fellow citizens have lived in a deplorable state of insecurity in the country. Too many lives of our loved ones have been cut short. Too many varieties of injuries have been sustained. Still, too many families have been torn apart by terrorism within our borders.

But enough has become enough. It is time to end this insurgency once and for all.

Regardless of politics, creed, or ethnicity, we must continue to give our Commander-in-Chief, our military, and all our security agencies our full support.

I call on Mr. President to further entreat the support of the international community in ending the insurgency in the country for good.

We must spell out in as clear as possible terms what our challenges are and have been so far in bringing an end to these extremists, and seek out the assistance of our friends and allies with the skills and tools to supplement our efforts, with clearly defined rules of engagement.

With the help of the Almighty, and the knowledge that we are fighting for a just cause: to rescue our nation from the clutches of terrorism – I have no doubt in my mind that we can win this struggle, and by so doing, leave a peaceful and more united Nigeria for our children and those that will come after.

Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki represents Kwara Central at the Nigerian Senate.