By Jimitota Onoyume
PORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State House of Assembly has passed a motion calling on the state government to immediately evacuate citizens of the state from Borno State because of the insecurity created by the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

The House, at its sitting, Thursday, enjoined President Goodluck Jonathan to tackle the security challenges posed by Boko Haram.

Member representing Khana Constituency I, Mr. Legborsi Nwidadah, moved the motion seeking evacuation of Rivers students and citizens in Borno State.

He noted that since the closure of University of Maiduguri because of operations of the sect, students of the state origin in the institution had been sending him text messages and also calling him to urge the government to evacuate them.

He said that even the Director, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig.-General Marahazu Tsiga, had ordered the redeployment of all corps members in Borno to other states.

He added that some other states had also come to evacuate their citizens.

The motion generated debate on the floor of the House before it was subjected to vote. When the issue was put to vote, those who wanted citizens of the state in Borno to be evacuated carried the day.

The House leader, Mr. Chidi llyod, urged the state government to act fast to save its citizens in the crisis-torn state. Some of the lawmakers held dissenting views, arguing that the call for evacuation of citizens of the state could send wrong signals. But majority where in support of the motion.