President Muhammadu Buhari says the security of the country was the responsibility of all Nigerians whether in office or not.

“Addressing them (security challenges) effectively to restore peace and security remains the responsibility of all Nigerians in and out of public office and our democratic institutions,’’ Mr Buhari said at the opening of a four-day special summit on national security organised by the House of Representatives in Abuja on Wednesday.

The president commended the House for creating the forum to allow stakeholders brainstorm on issues affecting the country and the way forward.

Mr Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, said security had become a major concern at global, regional and national levels.

“Nigeria shares land borders with Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger; and maritime boundaries with Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Sao Tome and Principe.

“The challenges these borders pose to our national security and interest are enormous; the instability and conflict in the Chad basin alone deserves close attention.

“Our nation has to grapple with various forms of internal security issues over the past decade in all geo- political zones,” the president said 

Mr Buhari said the summit was timely, as the country was mourning the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other gallant officers who died in a plane crash.

He said that their death was a painful loss to the nation, the military and the efforts towards combating security challenges in the country.