Gen Danjuma To Nigerians: Take Up Arms, Defend Yourselves Against Bandits, Terrorists

A former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), has called on Nigerians to arm themselves in defence against insurgency and banditry.

The former Defence Chief made the assertion on Saturday in Takum, Taraba state saying the government no longer has the capacity to defend the people.

The former minister made the remark following the recent killings, by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Plateau and Benue states.

The dastard killings have left over 200 person’s dead, homes razed, and thousands of people now displaced from their communities.

The government said it’s on top of the situation, but Danjuma disagrees saying the people could no longer depend on the authorities to protect that against the criminals. Defend yourself against them, the former minister said, adding that the murderous criminals should no longer be allowed to kill people in their homes.

He said communities must now take proactive steps and be a step ahead of the criminals because “it’s now clear that the government can no longer protest us.”

Danjuma who had in the past called on his people in Taraba state to defend themselves against bandits and insurgents said it’s unfortunate that his past warnings were not heeded.

According to him, “The warning I gave some years ago is still as valid today as it was then. Nigerians must rise and defend themselves.

“We cannot continue to sit and watch while bandits, terrorists, and criminal gangs massacre our people unchecked.

“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.” 

Recall that the Director General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi had recently urged Nigerians to assist security agencies in protecting the country from armed groups, as the country is too large for them to provide security.