The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, has reiterated the need for all Nigerians to approach the war on terror holistically by providing needed support to the security agencies.

Addressing participants at the 2014 National Security Seminar organised by the Defence Headquarters, Air Chief Marshal Badeh said the fight against members of Boko Haram was being hampered by willing sympathisers who are providing a platform for them to strike.

But he was optimistic that the war against terrorism would be won speedily with the combined support of all Nigerians.

The design and implementation of new strategies to combat terrorism was the focus of the national seminar held at Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The Chief of Defence Staff stressed the need for Nigerians to approach the war holistically.

In his speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Aliyu Samaila, advised participants to seek practical ways of addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

Presenting a paper on combating contemporary security threats in Nigeria, the guest lecturer and a security consultant, Dr Sam Tende, believed that the war against insurgency could and be won through better funding of security agencies.

He traced insecurity in the country to the failure of government at all levels.

Against the backdrop of sustained attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect, the annual National Security Seminar, which attracted security officials from the armed forces, police and para military agencies, has as its theme, ‘National Security Challenges and Contemporary Threats in Nigeria’.