The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, has called on Nigerians to support the efforts of the government in addressing the security challenges bedeviling the nation.

Ali made the call on Monday in Abuja, while speaking on the agency’s Inaugural International Lecture on Insecurity in the Sahel slated for Thursday, Oct. 3.

The topic of the lecture is “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges – Genesis, Impacts and Options’’.

He said that the challenges of terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity in the country required the cooperation and support of the citizens for the security agencies to effectively address them.

“My appeal to Nigerians is to be security conscious, to support government efforts, report bad acts, even among the security operatives.

“There are a lot of them; we have seen that some, unfortunately, also connive with criminal elements.

“It has been known that some actually provide logistic support to criminal elements

“So I appeal to Nigerians to support government’s  efforts in tackling this menace,’’ he said.

Ali said that NAN would leverage on its wide reach to ensure that recommendations from the lecture were given attention by the relevant authorities and stakeholders.

According to him, array of personalities who are active players in both local and international politics and security are expected at the event.

He said that the choice of Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas as the guest speaker was as a result of his extensive knowledge in global diplomacy, peace and security, especially in Africa.

“He was the ECOWAS Commission President, before moving to be United Nations rapporteur on Sahel.

“Currently he is the chief UN negotiator in Sudan, where there is a raging internecine war currently.

“So you can see he is well versed, he is well-marinated to deliver a lecture on Sahel and insecurity, the genesis, the impact, the options,’’ he said.

The Managing Director added that the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, would chair the event while notable scholars and ex-top military and intelligence officers would feature as discussants. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu