From Tony John, Port Harcourt; Okey Sampson, Umuahia; Lucky Ighomuaye, Benin; Scholastic Hir, Makurdi; Noah Ebije, Kaduna and Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Former Minister of Defence, Gen T. Y. Danjuma (retd), recently proposed that individuals should be armed to defend their communities in order to end the incessant killings carried out by insurgent groups, including herdsmen militias and bandits.
In this report, Nigerians express divided opinions on the proposal.
Arming individuals may lead to chaos – Paul Chimodo, ICT expert; Port Harcourt
The proposal by Gen T Y Danjuma for individuals to arm themselves for the defence of their communities reflects a deep frustration with the inability of security forces to effectively tackle the ongoing killings and insecurity. While the intention behind this suggestion may stem from a desire for immediate self-protection and community solidarity, it poses significant risks. Arming civilians could lead to increased violence, exacerbate existing conflicts, and create a chaotic environment where misunderstandings and grievances might escalate into further confrontations.
Instead of providing a sustainable solution, it could undermine the authority of security agencies and shift the focus away from necessary systemic reforms in policing and conflict resolution.
It may snowball into tribal, religious war – Olalekan Ige, public commentator; Port Harcourt
While I am tempted to agree with the retired General about arming people to defend their respective communities against aggressors, I am afraid we could be breeding chaos, whose outcomes we cannot predict. With a country that is still enmeshed in religious, ethnic and cultural differences, arming people could wake up age-long tensions and snowball into a major religious or tribal war.
It will escalate killings – Kalu-Ireke Onuma, public affairs analyst; Aba
It is unfortunate that in Nigeria today, insecurity has become the order of the day, owing to the activities of suspected insurgent groups, herdsmen and bandits.
It is equally unfortunate that this has led to a call by the former Minister of Defence, Gen T. Y. Danjuma (retd), suggesting that individuals be armed to defend their communities in order to end the incessant killings. If truth must be told, this call on its first value may seem to be the antidote, but it is not. The call if adhered to, will ultimately escalate instead of de-escalating the killings in the country. Things may get to a point where it will become a free for all in the country.
It will turn Nigeria into a battlefield – Chidiebere Enyiazu, economist; Umuahia
The leadership of the country should be blamed squarely for escalation of insecurity and incessant killings in the country. The solution proffered by Gen Danjuma is not going to solve the problem. Allowing everybody in Nigeria to carry a gun will turn the country into a battlefield.
It will leaded to unintended consequences – Collins Obhiozele, student, UNIBEN; Benin
In a country like Nigeria, where security challenges are complex and multifaceted, arming communities could lead to unintended consequences, such as increased violence, proliferation of illegal firearms, and potential human rights abuses. Instead of arming communities, it’s crucial to focus on strengthening existing security infrastructure, addressing the root causes of insecurity, and promoting community-police partnerships.
It will help to reduce killings – Bevy Efe K, rights activist; Benin
I agree with the submissions of Gen Danjuma (Retd). It’s no longer news that the insecurity in the country has overwhelmed the security apparatus of the country, hence if individuals are allowed to carry arms, it will go a long way to eradicate the incessant killings in the country. If insurgent groups, herdsmen and bandits are aware that individuals are armed like them, they will be scared to attack people in their communities.
I support Danjuma’s call – AIG Austin Iwar (rtd), security consultant; Abuja
I support what Danjuma said wholeheartedly because he is a statesman. He has been part of almost every crisis that has happened in this country; he was in the civil war, he rose to the highest rank as the Chief of Army Staff and also Minister for Defence. He knows what he is saying. He said the same thing about three years ago, but we did not listen and this year he has repeated it again and he said he told us before. Security agencies do not have the capacity to protect you, they are more interested in money than in providing security services. So communities should rise and defend themselves. From when he made this proposal for the first time till now, the government has not faulted him, they have not been able to debunk his postulations. The people attacking communities are armed and the arms are not supposed to be in their possession. Every day they come and attack your house, you run to security, and they don’t help. And the government does not also help. What do you do? The most important thing is that you must do whatever you can to protect your family and your community.
It’s a poisoned chalice.- Lazarus Mom, NGO leader; Makurdi
The call is timely. However, it’s a call that we should be careful about because right now we are talking about the control of small and light arms, and then in another breath, we are still talking about giving communities licence to carry arms. For me, it’s a poisoned chalice.
I think the best thing to do now is to do community policing, to involve communities in the security architecture of their communities.
It’s a wake up call – Chris Emeka Oha, security expert; Kaduna
There must be something that this old warhorse has seen and observed that suggested this statement. Kudos to General Danjuma for his remarks unlike other retired Generals that have kept mute. Why can’t our military and police root out these terrorists and dissidents that have fractured Nigeria much for more than 15 years? This is the second time that Danjuma has hammered clearly that individuals and groups should defend their communities from banditry, criminality and all forms of terrorism. It is a wake-up call. I support this call wholeheartedly since our leaders are dragging their foot about the creation of state police.
Even the present DSS DG alluded to this fact about communities organising themselves and acting as the first line of defence through security networks and communal groups.
It is best solution if government allows it – Rev Emmanuel Olorunmagba, cleric; Kaduna
The call has actually shown how concerned Gen Danjuma is but for now it’s not practicable in the present day Nigeria. I must take our mind back a little that immediately former President Buhari took over, he revoked the firearms licences of Nigerians and ordered all those who have firearms to surrender them. But unfortunately, while the federal government collected the firearms of those who legally own firearms and could use it to defend themselves as well as their community from the terrorists and herdsmen and bandits attacks, the same terrorists, herdsmen continue to acquire more sophisticated weapons. So those who need firearms legitimately for self-defence were disarmed while the terrorists were not.
We have heard of the news of the arrest of some citizens of Nigeria who are not herdsmen, on the allegations of being in possession of firearms. Yet we have not for once heard of the news of the arrest of any Fulani herdsman under the allegation of being in possession of firearms. And some of them go about with guns, even AK 47 without a licence. However, such a call could have been the best solution to the rising cases of insurgency for now, if only the government will allow citizens to get firearms licences again.
Without proper monitoring it’s dangerous – George Adoni Sinclair, public affairs analyst; Yenagoa
Yes, I agree to a large extent, but the ability to monitor and control civilians is important. Danjuma’s call stemmed from frustrations over the ongoing insecurity and the state’s failure to protect citizens. In areas where security forces are absent or ineffective, communities may feel the need to protect themselves. Armed resistance could deter attacks by bandits or insurgents who currently act with impunity.
However, more weapons in civilian hands can lead to increased violence, mistaken identity killings, and potential inter-community clashes.
Without proper training and accountability, civilian militias can become a law unto themselves. This could signal a breakdown in the state’s monopoly on the use of force, which is dangerous for any nation.