Amidst increasing insecurity in various parts of Nigeria, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has cautioned against calls for citizens to arm themselves for self-protection, warning that such a move could lead the country into chaos.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Governor Namadi responded to recent statements by retired General Theophilus Danjuma, who had urged Nigerians, particularly in Benue and Plateau States, to defend themselves against bandits and armed attackers.
General Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence, had argued that relying solely on the government for protection was no longer a realistic option given the widespread violence and killings in the nation.
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“It is now very clear that the government alone cannot protect us. We must stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our lands before these criminals overrun the entire country,” Danjuma had stated during a public event in Takum, Taraba State, on Saturday.
However, Governor Namadi disagreed with this approach, calling it a dangerous path.
“He (T.Y. Danjuma) is a very senior security person, and his words deserve respect and analysis,” Namadi said. “But I think if you say citizens should be allowed to defend themselves, you’re causing anarchy. I don’t think we’ve reached that level yet.”
He argued that instead of encouraging armed self-defence, governments at all levels should focus on strengthening Nigeria’s security infrastructure.
“The government is doing its best in terms of security arrangements. If you allow the people to defend themselves, that means you are encouraging a crisis between farmers and herders,” the governor warned.
Namadi highlighted his administration’s strategy for resolving the long-standing farmer-herder conflicts in Jigawa State as a more effective alternative.
He explained that upon assuming office, he prioritised non-violent conflict resolution methods.
“When we came in, we decided to employ a lot of strategies and tactics, including dialogue,” he said. “We engaged traditional rulers, as well as representatives of both farmers and herders. We sat down, reached a consensus, and established standing committees to reconcile all parties.”
He added that these efforts were instrumental in ending a conflict that had persisted for decades:
“The people now understand that the 25 years spent fighting and killing each other were not worth it. Today, they are able to work, interact, and live together in peace.”
Governor Namadi further pointed out that Jigawa State is currently not among the states facing severe threats like insurgency or mass killings by bandits. Instead, their primary challenge had been farmer-herder clashes, which his administration has successfully mitigated.
“We thank God that Jigawa State is not affected by insurgency or insecurity for now. The major issue we are dealing with is the herders-farmers clash, and we are addressing it decisively,” he said.
Despite the worsening security situation in other parts of the country, Governor Namadi maintained that self-defence is not a viable solution and could exacerbate the crisis:
“So, I think the government is doing its best, both at the federal and state levels. The issue of asking people to defend themselves — I think we have not reached that level yet.”
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