Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, has said that only God and the prayers of Nigerians can end the insecurity challenges in the country.

Mr Matawalle, in an interview with BBC Hausa published on YouTube on Saturday, said, “It is only God that can bring an end to this insecurity, alongside our collective prayers and efforts.”

He added, “Even some of the world’s powerful nations have battled insecurity for years and are still confronting it. We ask Nigerians to continue praying for us and supporting efforts to bring this challenge to an end.”

Mr Matawalle accused opposition politicians of politicising the heightened insecurity in the country and using it to condemn the ruling party.

“That is why we have urged the opposition to stop using insecurity to incite people. It is a challenge that can happen to anyone, and no Nigerian is happy about it. Unfortunately, some members of the opposition appear pleased with the situation. They do not care about the people. What matters to them is portraying the government as a failure for their own political interests and deceiving people into believing they alone can end insecurity,” he said.

He added, “it’s disheartening, and we must all rise to ensure that security agencies and Nigerians work together to end insecurity in the country. Insecurity does not discriminate based on political affiliation or religion. It can affect anyone.”

Mr Matawalle’s statement comes amid widespread killings and abductions in the country perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists and bandits.

On May 15, terrorists stormed Esienle and Yawota communities in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 46 schoolchildren and their teachers. The abductees are still in captivity more than 25 days after their abduction.

Similarly, about 40 other schoolchildren abducted in Borno State more than a month ago are still in captivity.