Insecurity in Nigeria: Benue State buried en-mass, 73 victims of Fulani herdsmen attack on January 1, 2018
Insecurity in Nigeria: Eminent citizens recommend self-defense
Alleging lack of political will of the Nigeria’s Federal government to promptly check multiple attacks on citizens by militant Fulani herdsmen and other forms of insecurity in the country, more eminent citizens are calling on their subordinates to defend themselves whenever they are being attacked.
The latest is the call to his subordinates today, by Zubairu Gwari, emir of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna state, North-Central Nigeria, asking them to defend themselves against suspected ‘bandits invading their communities’.
Birinin Gwari has recorded a high level of insecurity in recent times, including the killing of 11 soldiers earlier in the month by unknown assailants.
In an interview with Daily Trust, the first class traditional ruler said he asked his subjects not to “behave like fools” and get killed.
However, the government has described such calls as unfortunate, insisting that it has the will and capacity to protect all segments of the people.
Seven days ago, former army chief and leader of though, T.Y Danjuma recommended self-defense while the people wait for the state security to take action. Similarly, Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, had asked his people to defend themselves, alleging lack of will by the Federal government to protect the citizens against the gun-wielding cattle herders.
Gwari noted: “A month ago, in one area called Anguwan Gajere, the bandits attacked a village, and the villagers fought back, in the process they killed more bandits than the people of the town,” he said.
“All of a sudden, we were told that the people who came were Fulani men, and Miyetti Allah was in the vanguard of protecting them. What we have been preaching to our people is that they should not sit down like fools and watch themselves and their families get killed. If you can do anything to protect yourselves, protect yourself. I will repeat it in front of anybody.
“We can’t be fools to wait for somebody that will not come. Nobody can stop me from telling my people to protect themselves. And that is what we are doing now because the policemen that are in Birnin Gwari cannot protect. The soldiers that are being brought come and sometimes make matters worse. I am also appealing to the president to come and see things for himself, because we are also Nigerians.”
The emir said his people are living in hell adding that the activities of the suspects have stunted all development activities in the area.
“We have been standing up against these people, fighting them in the hope that it would end, all to no avail,” he said.
” I must say that the Kaduna state government, particularly this present governor, has done his best, and I believe he is still doing so, but I think when you say somebody is doing his best, maybe their best is not enough. That is why, when they do something, it would look like they are succeeding, but then, eventually, the bandits find a way to unleash terror on us.”
Gwari’s call comes a week after Theophilus Danjuma, a retired army general, called on Nigerians to defend themselves against killers, a call which Nigerian Presidency on Saturday described as ‘shocking and scary.’,
Danjuma, had at the convocation ceremony of Taraba State University last weekend alleged that security operatives are giving cover to bandits to kill Nigerians.
Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity however urged Nigerians with national influence, to desist from making inciting statements.
The presidential aide said such public declarations were likely to inflame emotional passions and threaten national security.
“The Presidency is very worried that criminal gangs will feel justified in defying legal governing and democratic institutions, and authority of legitimately elected democratic government if unrestrained pronouncements are made.
“Silence can be dignified, but sometimes it can be misinterpreted and exploited. It is both shocking and scary to hear the recent comments by a senior citizen calling for Nigerians to defend themselves.
“The Presidency commends the Nigerian military’s efforts to maintain peace and stability, despite being pulled in various directions by elements determined to destabilize the country and government for their selfish reasons.
“What country would survive if its citizens rise against the country’s organized, trained and equipped military?’’, he said.