Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has reacted to the U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments on alleged genocide in Nigeria, emphasizing the need to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty while calling for stronger collaboration to end terrorism in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, Senator Dickson declared that Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national institutions must be upheld by all parties, even as the nation continues to battle long-standing terrorist threats.

“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,” the senator stated.

Dickson lamented that for nearly 15 years, jihadist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS, al-Qaeda affiliates, and more recently groups like Lakurawa and Wulowulo, have unleashed devastating violence across the country. These groups, he said, introduced suicide bombings and targeted places of worship, traditional rulers, and schools.

He noted that both Christians and Muslims have fallen victim to these extremist attacks, adding that fundamentalist opposition to Western education has led to tragic incidents such as the abductions of the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls and the Buni Yadi massacre.

He expressed concern that many abducted students, including Leah Sharibu and some of the Chibok girls, remain missing.

According to Dickson, several Nigerian states including Borno, Zamfara, and Katsina continue to experience terrorist occupation, with militants reportedly collecting taxes and imposing their own laws in defiance of Nigeria’s Constitution.

“This is a direct affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and should not be tolerated any further,” he said. “President Trump’s statement is a wake-up call to action. If the Nigerian government is unable to address this issue effectively, then it must collaborate with those who can help us flush out these terrorists.”

The senator disclosed that the National Assembly has consistently raised alarms over persistent killings and attacks across the country. He said the Senate has made multiple proposals to the Executive arm of government, including plans for a National Security Summit and a resolution mandating Senate leadership to engage the Presidency and dispatch a non-partisan delegation to Washington D.C.

Dickson further decried the spread of insurgency and banditry to previously peaceful states such as Sokoto, Taraba, Niger, and Kwara, as well as the continuing massacres and displacement in the Middle Belt and Southern Kaduna.

He described the ongoing killings as “unimaginable” and urged the federal government to take decisive, coordinated action to restore peace and security across all regions of Nigeria.