- Safiu Kehinde
Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has warned against former Minister of Defense’s, Lt. Gen TY Danjuma (Rtd), call for self-defense amid the spate of insecurity rocking Nigeria.
Danjuma had on Saturday charged Nigerians to embrace self defence since the government’s failure to ensure proper defence, protection of lives and property.
“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; 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.” The ex-Minister of Defense had said.
Reacting during an interview on Channels TV Sunrise Daily programme on Monday, Namadi acknowledged Danjuma as very senior security personnel who deserves to be respected.
The Jigawa governor, however, warned that allowing Nigerians to bear arms in defence would lead to anarchy.
“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.
Namadi suggested alternative solutions, like dialogue and engagement.
He recalled how his administration resolved the farmers/herder’s crisis through dialogue and involvement of traditional rulers.
“Like I said, what we did in Jigawa, if we allowed the people to defend themselves, that means you are causing crisis between farmers and herders.
“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.” Namadi said.
These, according to him, are more effective than taking up arms.
While acknowledging the Federal and state governments’ effort in curbing the menace of insecurity, Namadi held that call for self-defense is not the next solution.
“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 added.