Insecurity: You have right to defend yourselves, Bwala tells Nigerians

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, says Nigerians are constitutionally empowered to defend themselves against attackers, including in situations involving lethal threats, while assuring that the government is working to curb insecurity across the country.

Bwala made the statement during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, while reacting to recent violent incidents, including the killings in Esiele community in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the abduction of teachers and pupils at LA Primary School.

Bwala stressed that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to protect themselves.

“The constitution has guaranteed to every citizen of Nigeria the right to self-defence; you have the right to defend yourself,” he said.

“When your right, my right, and that of my neighbour is put together, it becomes collective rights to defend ourselves and Nigerians have the right to defend themselves.

“If you come to my house to try to kill me, any lethal weapon I use to defend myself is guaranteed by the Constitution,” he added.

Bwala, however, cautioned that firearm possession remains regulated under law, adding, “Nigerians don’t have the right to bear certain arms unless those arms are permitted but the collective people can come together to apply to the government for the right to coordinate themselves.”

Explaining the government’s position on insecurity, Bwala said criminality is a global challenge but insisted that collective action would help address it.

“Solution is what we all look to; evil men operate anywhere in the world, no matter how tight you are as a government.

“You do your best and expect that with the help of God and collective participation of the people through collective intelligence, we will be able to put an end to it,” he stressed.

On public reaction to recurring attacks, he noted that citizens will continue to express frustration.

“I know the Nigerian people will continue to complain. For example, no matter how we say that we are sorry and the incident happens again, people will complain, cry and mourn because it’s the lives of the Nigerian people that are taken away by the evil element. We will put an end to this as a people,” he said.

Bwala also linked rising insecurity to election cycles and societal pressures.

“Every eve of elections in Nigeria from 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026, you will see that crisis increases because of the idea of a crisis economy. A lot of people take advantage of that but the will and spirit of the collective people is what will put an end to this situation,” he said.

Bwala further noted the role of local vigilance groups and security collaboration.

“As a people, we have vigilantes, and in Borno State, we have paramilitary organisations that provide intelligence to law enforcement,” he said.

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