NIGERIA IS AT WAR, SERVICE CHIEFS TELL REPS.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting which lasted for about three hours, Rep Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi (PDP, Taraba) said "the service chiefs emphatically told us that Nigeria is really at war. It can be insurgents war or whatever; they told us Nigeria is at war." This is even as the House approved the extension of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States by another six months as requested by President Goodluck Jonathan. The approval came in spite of stiff opposition from the governors and some lawmakers as well as elders of the affected states. Giving reason for the approval, House spokesman, Zakari Mohammed (APC, Kwara), said going by the brief from the service chiefs, members were convinced that "there was need to extend the emergency." "We've heard from the service chiefs about the progress made so far. Having listened to them, for stability and progress, we decided to approve the extension so that within the next six months, they'll be able to handle the situation properly. We have all assurances from them that they're on top of the situation," he said. On the allegations of poor welfare of soldiers on ground, Mohammed said "they told us the efforts they're making to motivate their men. They know that if the welfare of their men is not well handled, they won't get the best." Mohammed who said that most of the lawmakers were sceptical about the extension "until we were briefed by the service chiefs, and they convinced us." He said the lawmakers inquired from the service chiefs if the Nigerian military has adequate equipment to face the insurgents, and they responded in the affirmative. "There was no complaint about personnel or equipment. They assured us they have enough to handle the situation. But we need to give them time; they want us to be patient with them," he added. On Chibok school girls, he said the service chiefs "assured that they're making progress, and very soon, they'll re-unite with their families."