The Federal Government has told Nigerians to resort to self-help and fight off banditry, kidnapping and other crimes.
The Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.) gave the advice against the backdrop of the abduction of 27 students of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State including some workers in the school on Wednesday and intractable spate of criminal activities across the country.
Magashi while speaking with newsmen said the general public were given the criminals free rein to wreak havoc by allegedly putting up no resistance, adding that most times the gunmen were not fully armed.
“Is it the responsibility of the military alone? It is the responsibility of everybody to be alert and ensure safety when necessary. But we shouldn’t be cowards. At times, the bandits will come with only about three rounds of ammunition and when they fire shots, everybody will run. In our younger days, we stand to fight any aggression coming to us. I don’t know why people are running away from minor, minor aggressions? They should stand and let these people (criminals) know that the people – villagers- have the competence and capability to defend themselves,” the minister said.
