Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has dismissed the call for Nigerians to resort to self-defence amidst growing security concerns, stating that the country “has not reached that level yet.”
In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Governor Namadi explained that asking citizens to defend themselves against bandits would lead to anarchy and worsen the situation.
This response comes after former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), suggested that victims of banditry and terrorism in states like Benue and Plateau should take matters into their own hands, as the government’s protection has become increasingly unreliable. Danjuma’s call was met with mixed reactions, with some supporting the idea of self-defence while others expressed concerns about the potential consequences.
Governor Namadi argued, “He (Danjuma) is a very serious security person, but I think citizens being allowed to defend themselves will cause anarchy. The issue is, the government is doing its best in the security architecture and security arrangement.” He maintained that the federal government’s efforts, though not perfect, were aimed at resolving the security crisis without resorting to violence.
The governor also pointed to his experience handling the farmer-herder conflict in Jigawa State, where he engaged in dialogue rather than encouraging self-defense. Namadi explained, “If we allowed the people to defend themselves, that means you’re causing a crisis between farmers and herders. But when we came in, we deployed a lot of strategies, including dialogue, and tried as much as possible to engage traditional rulers and stakeholders.”
He continued, “We set up a committee to reconcile all parties involved in the crisis. Now, they are able to work together, interact together, and live their normal lives together.” Namadi’s approach, he argued, has led to peaceful coexistence between the parties, demonstrating the effectiveness of dialogue over violence.
Governor Namadi reiterated that Nigeria has not reached a point where citizens should be encouraged to take up arms for self-defense, stating, “The government is doing its best, both at the federal and state levels. We have not reached that level yet.”