Kagara: Nigeria’s Defence Minister Under Fire For Asking Citizens To Defend Themselves Against Armed Bandits

Related stories

Just In! Nigeria’s Economy Surges with 3.13% Growth in Q1 2025, NBS Reports

By Hamilton Nwosu Nigeria’s economy has demonstrated resilience in the...

Labour Party’s Crisis Deepens As Abure-Led Faction Rejects Nenadi Usman’s Leadership

• Says its Unlawful By Abiola Olawale  The ongoing leadership crisis...

Drama as ADC’s 2023 Presidential Candidate Kachikwu Says, Obi Plans to Exit Coalition 

By Abiola Olawale Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 presidential candidate of...

(VIDEO) Falana, Shehu Sani, Others Blast Kemi Badenoch Over Claim on Nigerian Citizenship Laws 

By Abiola Olawale  Prominent human rights activist and a Senior...

From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), has incurred the wrath of Nigerians for asking citizens to engage in self defence against bandits and other criminal elements terrorizing the country.

Addressing journalists in the wake of the abduction of 42 people from Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State on Wednesday, Magashi said he cannot understand why Nigerians are running away from “minor” aggressors.

He asked civilians to face armed terrorists and bandits to show them they have the competence and capability to defend themselves despite not being trained in military ways or licensed to carry fire arms.

In his words:“It is the responsibility of everybody to keep alert and to find safety when necessary. But we shouldn’t be cowards.

“At times, the bandits will only come with about three rounds of ammunition, when they fire shots everybody runs.

“In our younger days, we stand to fight any aggression coming for us.

“I don’t know why people are running from minor things like that. They should stand and let these people know that even the villagers have the competency and capabilities to defend themselves.

He added: “Our own duty is to ensure that no Nigerian is hurt, and we are capable of protecting the integrity of this nation and we’ll continue to do it even though we are so stretched.”

The minister also said all the abducted students of Kagara would be rescued as soon as possible, using the ‘Kankara strategy.’

“The government will replicate the strategy used in freeing the Kankara schoolboys to obtain success in freeing the Kagara students and staff.”

”We have demonstrated our ability to take on the challenge. We have done it in Katsina; when children were kidnapped. Within two days, we got them back. Hopefully, this time, we will do the same (thing) to get these captives back. We are planning” Magashi said.

But his comments did not sit down well with many Nigerians who viewed it as an abdication of the most important role and responsibility of any government — protection of lives and properties of citizens — something the defence Minister swore to do.

Nigerians are already calling for the Minister’s resignation or sacking by President Muhammadu Buhari over the gaffee, saying he just exposed his ineptitude and low morale as the country’s defence Minister.

Also, many are worried that Magashi may have been overwhelmed by the plethora of security challenges facing the nation, hence the need to hire a competent hand with fresh ideas and sheer determination in his place to work with the newly appointed Service Chiefs.

Here are some comments:

'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide
'Dotun Akintomide's journalism works intersect business, environment, politics and developmental issues. Among a number of local and international publications, his work has appeared in the New York Times. He's a winner of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Award. Currently, the Online Editor at The New Diplomat, Akintomide has produced reports that uniquely spoke to Nigeria's experience on Climate Change issues. When Akintomide is not writing, volunteering or working on a media project, you can find him seeing beautiful sites like the sandy beaches that bedecked the Lagos coastline.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Datti Baba-Ahmed Attends Abure-Led Labour Party NEC Meeting, Vows to Reunite Obi, Otti, OthersJust In! Nigeria’s Economy Surges with 3.13% Growth in Q1 2025, NBS ReportsLabour Party's Crisis Deepens As Abure-Led Faction Rejects Nenadi Usman’s LeadershipDrama as ADC’s 2023 Presidential Candidate Kachikwu Says, Obi Plans to Exit Coalition (VIDEO) Falana, Shehu Sani, Others Blast Kemi Badenoch Over Claim on Nigerian Citizenship Laws Kenneth Okonkwo Slams Okpebholo for Threatening Peter ObiBabangida's Son Accepts Tinubu’s Appointment as BoA Chairman, Denies Rejection RumorsAlleged N80.2bn Fraud: Court Throws Out Yahaya Bello's Travel Request"Stay Away from National Assembly," Senate warns NatashaAwujale’s burial and Aso Rock’s graveyard politics By Festus AdedayoThree deaths: Gainers and losers By Bolanle BOLAWOLE(VIDEO) Applause as Billionaire Business Icon, Leemon Ikpea's State-of-the-art Medical Facility in Ewatto, Nears Completion Before you accept his proposal, By Funke EgbemodeOil Price Volatility and Higher Valuations Cause M&A Activity to SlowDrama as UNIMAID ASUU Opposes Tinubu, Vows To Contest Renaming of Varsity After Late Buhari
X whatsapp