The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has called on Nigerians to pray for an end to security challenges plaguing the country.

He also urged the citizens to support him and other security heads in the country with prayers to succeed in their efforts to restore peace in many troubled areas.

Badaru made the appeal on Thursday when he received a delegation from Jigawa State, in Abuja.

He said, “Due to the security challenges and other aspects of national development, one can only but ask for prayers to succeed.

“The message I will give is that you should continue to pray for us and the nation so that we can continue to succeed. We need your prayers to succeed in this task.”

Speaking earlier, the Jigawa State governor, Umar Namadi, who led traditional rulers, religious leaders, the business community, and public office holders from the state on the visit their coming was to congratulate the minister and assure him of their support.

He said Nigerians’ expectations of the minister were high having succeeded in the state.

Namadi said, “It is not only to say congratulations but also to pray for you. We know how you succeed as the governor of our state, and we also pray for you to achieve the same or even more in this new task as the Minister of Defence.

“Nigerians have high expectations that you would prioritize and deal with insecurity in the country. Once you can do this, it covers every aspect of the nation.

“We are lucky that we are peaceful in Jigawa, but that does not mean that we don’t need your assistance, we also need your assistance as you help other states.”