Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Friday in Abuja expressed concern over the security challenges in the country with a call on the Federal Government to have a dialogue with aggrieved parties.

While suggesting that decisive measures should be taken to protect innocent people, the ex-VP, however, warned that the current emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states should not foreclose the need for a dialogue with the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

Atiku was the special guest of honour at the 4th District Conference 2013 of the Rotary International with the theme, ‘Creating a Culture of Peace through Service.’

He said, “The government must do all that is necessary in a democratic society to protect lives and property. Thus, there is the need to engage aggrieved groups in dialogue while taking decisive security measures to protect innocent people. I hope that the current emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states does not obviate the urgent need for such a dialogue in that zone and elsewhere.”