By MUHAMMAD SABIU, Kaduna

Former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has disclosed that he used to advise the government on the security challenges facing the country but he does not make noise about it.

He made this known in an interview with the BBC Hausa on Sunday.

He said it has become necessary for citizens and government to synergize and work together to achieve results.

On whether our politicians are playing the desired role in bringing an end to the insecurity bedevilling the country, he said there are many things they’ve to put right.

“If they agree to sit down and think over, I believe success will be achieved,” he said.

When asked further on such things to put right, he said it is important to rally around the soldiers and other security agencies saying, support them and let them know the citizens are behind them.

“Provide them with all they require and let them know this is their country, they’ve no other better than this.”

Asked if he believes the Nigerian soldiers need modern weapons, he said yes, they do.

“They also need to be trained on how to use the modern weapons, not to get weapons and just hand them over to them. They should be trained.”

On whether he has ever advised the Federal Government on ways to end insecurity, which has now crept into his state of origin ( Niger), he said, ” we give advice, as we can..but we don’t make noise about it. We don’t announce that this is what we say.”

“We should unite, we should support those in power, we are all working towards achieving the same goal. Between the leaders and citizens, we need peace and a harmonious relationship.”

” This problem of insecurity, every government had its experience… but if we unite…I remember how we fought the civil war for 3 years, the people supported the government, the government did its best, bought what was necessary, those who fought were made to understand that this country is the best for them.”

“It’s not only in Nigeria, many countries encountered this kind of problem, some had it for ten years but through concerted effort, they are out of it.“

“l believe we can get out of this problem.”

“Both citizens and those governing are trying, but we should know that it is not an easy task,” he said. (Sunday Tribune)

Update news