Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, has appealed to Nigerians to sustain prayers for the current administration, and particularly, those at the helm of the nation’s security.

Badaru made the appeal at his office in Abuja, yesterday, when he received a delegation from Jigawa State, led by Governor Umar Namadi. The minister stressed that given the complexities of security challenges and other aspects of national development, “one could not but ask for prayers to succeed.”

He affirmed that security hurdles before the authorities are enormous, but noted that the government is determined to surmount them, even as he urged Nigerians to support the leadership to entrench peace and stability.

Speaking earlier, Namadi, who led traditional and religious leaders, members of the business community, and others on the visit, said they had come to congratulate the minister on his appointment and assure him of their support.

He said: “It is not only to say congratulations, but also to pray for you. We knew how you succeeded as governor of our state. We also pray for you to achieve the same or even more in this new task as Minister of Defence.”

Namadi reminded Badaru that Nigerians have high expectations that he would deal with insecurity, adding: “Once you can do this, it covers every aspect of the nation.”

The minister stressed that given the complexities of security challenges and other aspects of national development, “one could not but ask for prayers to succeed.

"Boko Haram should lay their arms unconditionally, be accepted in the community and rehabilitated.An ex Boko Haram having laid his arms stands to be a president of this country. He stands to aspire to any position in this country.