Irabor, the head of defence, insists on finding a political solution to instability that guarantees Nigerians secure elections in 2023.

Chief of Defense Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, has hammered on the political dimension to the security crises in most parts of the country.

Irabor, who featured on an Arise TV interview on Wednesday, said a consideration of political factors responsible for the problem was a way to go.

Irabor made the comment in response to Nnamdi Kanu, the head of the Igbo separatist organisation Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), being imprisoned.

In a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Igbo traditional and religious leaders pleaded for Kanu’s release as a means of easing the continuing conflict in the region’s South-East.

The President responded by stating that the issue fell under the court’s purview and reiterating his commitment to punishing anyone who violates the nation’s peace.

In order to emphasise his commitment to eradicating criminal propensities in the nation, General Irabor declared that the security services would not stand by and watch as the nation burned.

He also assured Nigerians that the 2023 elections would be conducted in a peaceful and safe atmosphere.

“Those who are idle hands will be engaged and the security agencies will zero on those with criminal proclivities. This is the way to go and whatever solution regarding the political settlement on any crisis is the way to go.

“That there are political solutions does not mean the security agencies and armed forces will fold their hands and leave the nation to burn. This is so that our land will not turn to a jungle without law and order.

“We believe and I assure Nigerians that the 2023 elections will be conducted under a secure atmosphere and we are working closely with the police and other security agencies to providing security guarantees to INEC and other stakeholders with a safe space”, he said.