Nigeria, April 22 -- The death of President Idriss Deby may worsen the security situation in Chad and neighbouring countries like Nigeria, the federal government said on Thursday.

The defence minister, Bashir Magashi, said this while addressing journalists at the State House in Abuja.

PREMIUM TIMES reported Mr Deby's death and the takeover of the government by the military which dissolved the parliament and suspended the constitution.

Mr Deby was a key ally in Nigeria's decade-long fight against Boko Haram.

To prevent the escalation of insecurity, Nigeria will increase security deployment at its borders, particularly the one with Chad, Mr Magashi, a retired major-general, said.

According to him, "If there's no security in Chad there ...