In response to a recent call made by Theophilus Yakubu (TY) Danjuma, former Nigeria Defence Minister, asking Nigerians to be fully armed as self-defence against insecurity and crime, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has said that the level of insecurity in Nigeria has not reached a point where citizens should resort to self defence.
The former Minister of Defence recently urged Nigerians to take personal responsibility for their safety amid the rising cases of kidnappings and violent attacks across the Country.
“We have experienced kidnapping. The threat of kidnapping will continue until we, every one of us, rise up and defend ourselves. It is quite clear the Government alone cannot do it. I have warned a very long time ago, in a speech in Wukari, that our people must be prepared to defend themselves”, he noted.
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While acknowledging Danjuma’s stature and experience in Nigerian context, Governor Namadi cautioned against such a call, warning that it could create widespread chaos.
“He is a very senior security person, and should be respected,” the governor said. “But if he says that citizens should be allowed to defend themselves, I think you are causing anarchy. His words need to be analysed carefully”, he said.
Govrrnor Namadi argued that encouraging citizens to bear arms could escalate conflicts, particularly in communities already dealing with tensions. Citing the farmer-herder clashes in Jigawa State, he explained that his administration tackled the issue through peaceful means rather than confrontation.
“Like I said, what we did in Jigawa, if we allowed the people to defend themselves, that means you’re causing crisis between farmers and herders,” he said. “But when we came in, we deployed a lot of strategies, including dialogue and trying as much as possible to engage traditional rulers and (stakeholders) from both farmers and herders side”, he added.
According to the governor, this approach led to the creation of a Reconciliation Committee that brought both parties to the table. He said the initiative had allowed farmers and herders in the State to coexist peacefully.
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“The peace initiative has enabled farmers and herders to work together, interact together and live their normal lives together,” he said.
Governor Namadi maintained that Governments at both State and Federal levels are trying their best to address insecurity, and that Nigeria had nnot descended to a point where citizens should take the law into their own hands.
“So, I think the government is doing its best — both at federal and different state levels. The issue of asking people to defend themselves… I think we have not reached that level yet”, he concluded.
