Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Nigerian Army, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State, Brig Gen. Idris Alkali, has called for collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to improve security of lives and property in Nigeria.

While noting that the citizens were living in trying times, he said Nigerians should co-exist harmoniously, irrespective of their differences.

He spoke to journalists in Ilorin on Friday during the decoration of the Brigade's Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Mr. Augustine Bello, as captain of the Nigerian Army.

Alkali said, "We are now living in a trying period. Everybody is aware of the security situation in the country. Therefore, we have to work as one towards making sure that we have a peaceful and free society where everybody will be free to do whatever such a person wants to do without being afraid."

He said that it was the oneness of the Nigerian Army that made it to be chosen for peace keeping operation in Sudan. He urged Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs, to love one another and live in peace.

He added, "Army officers should be hardworking and patient. If you are hard working in the Army, we have programme and career prospect. If you follow your career prospect properly and be patient, certainly you will get promoted when the times comes.

"In the Nigerian Army, we do not allow religion to disturb our job. We work as one. In fact, when we went to Sudan, Nigerian Army was chosen because we worked together as one, without any sentiment. We do not have any religious sentiment in the Nigerian Army.  That is why we were taken to the Sudan so that they could live together despite their religious differences.