TheCable

Former President Ibrahim Babangida on Sunday urged Nigerians and governments at all levels to serve as national vanguards in resolving recent disturbing incidents affecting national security.

Babangida made the call in a statement made available to NAN in Minna.

According to the statement, the media should serve as national vanguards in tackling the present security challenges facing the country.

In recent weeks, there has been a series of attacks by suspected herdsmen on communities in Benue, Taraba and Kaduna states.

“We should cooperate and support our security with relevant information and intelligence to help in tackling the problems,” he said.

“As people we should inculcate our cultural values that promote good conduct, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

“We should eschew hate speeches, discrimination and other vices that trigger senseless violence and bloodshed.

“We have witnessed so much bloodshed through communal clashes and conflicts that need urgent actions to stop them now.

“As we enter the electioneering period, I urge our political office holders as well as politicians from all political parties to be conscious of their campaign slogans.

“For the members of the armed forces and security agencies, I urge them to remain apolitical, neutral and focus on the ethics of discipline which is the hallmark of their profession.

“In conclusion, I wish to once again express my condolence to the families of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in their effort to keep Nigeria secured in various military operations.”

Babangida called on Nigerians to show appreciation for the courage of the gallant fallen heroes on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day on January 15.

This, he said, can be done by contributing support for the welfare and upkeep of the families they left behind, especially their widows and children.

He said it was necessary at this period when the nation was faced with myriads of challenges of terrorism, communal clashes, kidnapping, cultism and gangsterism, among other criminalities.