TY Danjuma,
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has pushed back against the recent call by former Defence Minister, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), urging Nigerians to defend themselves in the face of increasing insecurity.
According to Namadi, encouraging citizens to take up arms is a dangerous path that could plunge the country into chaos.
Speaking during a live programme on Monday, the governor emphasized that Nigeria has not yet reached the point where self-defence should become a public option.
He described the idea as a trigger for disorder and instability.
“He (Danjuma) is a very serious security person, but I think citizens being allowed to defend themselves will cause anarchy,” Namadi said.
“But the issue is, the government is doing with (the) best in the security architecture and security arrangement.”
General Danjuma had earlier advised communities in Benue and Plateau states to take up self-defence against the persistent attacks by bandits and terrorists, citing the government’s inability to provide adequate protection.
He argued that relying solely on government forces was no longer feasible.
However, Governor Namadi disagreed with this view.
He warned that resorting to self-help would only escalate violence across the country and create lawlessness.
Instead, he highlighted the importance of dialogue and peaceful resolution, pointing to his own administration’s handling of the farmer-herder conflict in Jigawa State.
Namadi explained that rather than allow the situation to deteriorate into armed confrontations, his government chose a more constructive path by engaging stakeholders.
“I engaged the farmers, herders and traditional rulers in talks to resolve the age-long conflict,” he said, stressing that non-violent methods have proven more sustainable in addressing such communal disputes.
Reiterating his stance, the governor maintained that the Federal Government was actively working to strengthen national security and should be supported rather than undermined through calls for personal armament.
