Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri

Former Governor and senator of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, Sunday described the activities of the deadly Boko Haram sect as “sheer madness” which every Nigerian must unite against.

Sheriff who was governor between 2011 and 2003 when the activities of the sect first came into global recognition, said the abduction of over 200 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok was unacceptable in any form and stands condemnable.

Sheriff, who has also been accused in the past of links to Boko Haram, in a statemen said: “I wish to join other Nigerians in adding my voice to the condemnation of all acts of terrorism and aggression against the Nigerian state and fellow citizens.”

“I wish to particularly condemn the abduction of innocent school girls in Chibok, in my home state, Borno, and call on all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious, political inclinations to rise up against such ignoble acts.”

Sheriff, who is a national chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, called on all Nigerians to rise up against terrorist activities.

He stressed that it is the height of insensitivity for innocent school girls to be taken out of their learning environment and be subjected to the criminal livelihood of insurgents.

“As former governor of Borno state, I am saddened that our people are being subjected to horrific experiences occasioned by the condemnable activities of the Boko Haram, which agenda is to destabilize the country and subject Nigerians to undeserved conditions.”

“I am confident that Government at all levels are doing everything possible to get to the roots of the matter and bring this madness to an end, but suffice it to say at this juncture that all Nigerians must rise up in unison to condemn these people and offer useful information on how they can be contained,” he said.