The Call For Self-Defence: A Dangerous Proposition

Recently, former Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen Theophilus Yakubu (TY) Danjuma (rtd), once again hammered on the need for the citizens to defend themselves against marauding bandits and terrorists. His statement, made during a staff get-together in Taraba State, has reignited the debate on self-defence in a country drowning in insecurity.

“The warning I gave some years ago is still as valid today as it was then. Nigerians must rise and defend themselves,” the elder statesman declared, insisting that the citizens cannot continue sitting idly by while criminal gangs massacre people unchecked.

To be sure, this isn’t the first time Danjuma has made such a controversial statement. In 2018, he shocked the nation when he accused the military of colluding with killers and urged Nigerians to defend themselves or risk extinction. His latest remarks are equally explosive, especially coming from a former defence minister who once commanded our armed forces.

But let’s call a spade a spade – is arming the citizens really the solution to our security woes? I don’t think so.

The call for self-defence, while understandable given the horrific killings we witness daily, is practically a call for anarchy. Just imagine your neighbour pulling out a gun during your next argument over parking space or loud music. The country would descend into chaos faster than politicians abandoning campaign promises after elections.

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Trust me, I understand the frustration behind such calls. In the last month alone, bandits have turned parts of Plateau, Benue, Kwara, and Zamfara States into killing fields. Almost daily, we wake up to news of fresh massacres. The situation in Taraba, Niger, Katsina, and Kaduna States isn’t any better. You begin to wonder if these terrorists are on a mission to wipe out entire communities while our security forces appear overwhelmed.

But let’s be realistic – how exactly are civilians supposed to confront hardened criminals armed with sophisticated weapons? Picture a scenario: farmers with dane guns facing bandits wielding AK-47s, AK-49s, and RPGs. That’s not self-defence; that’s suicide.

Haven’t we already seen vigilante groups decimated by bandits because they lacked firepower parity? How many times have we read reports of local security outfits being outgunned and outmanoeuvered by these criminals?

Come to think of it, if our trained military personnel sometimes struggle against these terrorists, what chance do ordinary citizens stand? The call for self-defence might sound heroic, but in practice, it’s a recipe for more bloodshed, not less.

The truth is, we already know what needs to be done to tackle insecurity in Nigeria. We’re just playing politics with people’s lives instead of implementing the obvious solutions.

First, state police is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The federal police structure has proven inadequate for a country as large and diverse as Nigeria. Local police forces would have better intelligence, understanding of terrain, and quicker response times. Yet we keep dancing around this issue like it’s a taboo topic.

Second, we desperately need more boots on the ground. Our security agencies are severely understaffed for a country of over 200 million people. When you have one police officer covering several villages, what do you expect?

Third, technology must be deployed aggressively in our fight against insecurity. Drones, CCTV systems, advanced communication networks, and intelligence gathering tools should be standard, not exceptions. In 2025, we’re still fighting 21st Century terrorism with 20th Century methods.

Fourth, we must address the root causes of insecurity – poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunities. When young men can’t feed themselves legitimately, carrying arms becomes attractive. Economic solutions must complement military operations.

I also believe we need to stop treating these criminals with kid gloves. When bandits are caught, they should face swift justice, not endless trials or, worse, amnesty programmes that have repeatedly failed.

Additionally, our intelligence services need a complete overhaul. Too often, communities know who the criminals are, but this intelligence doesn’t translate into preventive action by security forces. What’s the use of intelligence if it can’t prevent attacks?

Some have argued that self-defence is a fundamental right, especially when the state fails in its primary duty to protect the citizens. Valid point.

But the consequences of arming untrained civilians could be catastrophic. Do we want to become another Somalia or Libya where everyone has a gun?

Let’s not kid ourselves – the killers terrorising our communities are not more powerful than our security agencies. What’s lacking is the political will, proper coordination, adequate resources, and professional leadership of security operations.

The continuous calls for self-defence reflect the desperation of Nigerians who feel abandoned by the state. It shows how badly our security architecture has failed when a former defence minister publicly advocates citizens taking up arms.

Rather than encouraging people to arm themselves – which could potentially lead to ethnic militias, revenge killings, and complete breakdown of law and order – our leaders should focus on fixing the systemic problems in our security setup.

We can’t fight fire with fire and expect not to get burned. Self-defence might seem like the only option left, but it’s a dangerous proposition that could push Nigeria over the cliff.

Instead, let’s demand accountability from those we elected to protect us. Let’s insist on comprehensive security sector reforms. Let’s push for state police. Let’s invest in technology and intelligence. These are the real solutions, not turning every citizen into a reluctant warrior.