Srilanka, Aug. 28 -- Atiku made the pledge in an interview with the BBC monitored by The News Chronicle, where he outlined his plans to tackle insurgency, banditry and other security challenges confronting the country.

The former vice president said his administration would increase the number of security personnel, provide them with adequate equipment and funding, while creating jobs for unemployed youths who, he argued, are increasingly being drawn into criminal activities.

According to him, Nigeria, with a population of more than 200 million people, has fewer than 200,000 police officers, describing the manpower available to secure the country as inadequate.

Atiku said: "We are over 200 million people, and yet we have less than 200...