By Boluwaji Obahopo

LOKOJA—The Federal Government has been urged to sustain its fight against insurgency in the North East by equipping security agencies properly, to enable them win the war against terrorism.

Anglican Bishop of Ijumu Diocese in Kogi State, Rt. Rev Ezekiel Ikupolati made the call during the Second Synod of the church at Iyamoye in Ijumu Local Government Area of the state yesterday.

He also asked the government to create more states in order to bring government closer to the people.

According to him, ‘’The development of Nigeria’s military power has become urgent today for four reasons; the transformation of 21st century terrorism into a new genre of warfare, the rising profile of Nigeria in world affairs, the country’s regional leadership position and Nigeria’s quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

“These call for better funding of the defence sector. The activities of Bok Haram have become a setback to the country. Nigeria without the sect would have become a developed nation.”

On state creation, Ikupolati particularly called for the creation of Okun State which he noted had suffered untold hardship and infrastructural neglect.

‘’Let the north be north, Okunland is not part of them. We are not northerners. Let us go back to where we come from…leave Okunland and let it go back to her home (Oduduwa),’’ he added.