Security
Danjuma Calls For Nigerians To Arm Against Rising Banditry
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
In a fiery and impassioned speech delivered at a public event in Takum, Taraba State, on Saturday, former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.) called on Nigerians to take their security into their own hands, warning that dependence on government forces for protection is no longer a viable option.
Citing the unrelenting wave of violence perpetrated by bandits, terrorists, and criminal gangs across the country, Danjuma reiterated a warning he issued five years ago, emphasizing its continued relevance in the face of escalating insecurity.
Danjuma’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a surge in violent attacks, particularly in Benue and Plateau states, where dozens of lives have been lost and entire communities uprooted in recent weeks.
The retired general, a prominent figure from Takum, expressed deep frustration with what he described as the government’s failure to curb the rising tide of lawlessness.
“The warning I gave some years ago is still as valid today as it was then,” he declared.
“Nigerians must rise and defend themselves. We can not continue to sit and watch bandits, terrorists, and criminal gangs massacre our people unchecked.”
The former defence minister painted a grim picture of the current security landscape, pointing to the recurring massacres in Nigeria’s north-central region as evidence of systemic failure. He argued that the government’s inability to provide adequate protection has left citizens vulnerable, urging communities to adopt proactive measures to safeguard their lives, families, and properties.
“It is now very clear that the government alone can not protect us,” Danjuma asserted.
“We must stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our lands before these criminals overrun the entire country.”
The call to self-defence has sparked widespread debate, with some hailing Danjuma’s bluntness as a necessary wake-up call, while others caution that such rhetoric could exacerbate vigilante justice and further destabilize the region.
The retired general’s remarks resonate deeply in areas like Benue and Plateau, where residents have borne the brunt of relentless attacks by armed groups. In recent months, these states have witnessed horrific incidents, including the slaughter of villagers, destruction of farmlands, and displacement of thousands, leaving communities in a state of fear and despair.
Danjuma’s outspoken stance is rooted in his long-standing critique of Nigeria’s security architecture. Five years ago, he made headlines when he accused certain elements within the military of complicity in the violence plaguing the country, a claim that stirred controversy and drew sharp reactions. His latest comments reflect a deepening sense of urgency, as the nation continues to grapple with multifaceted security challenges, including banditry, insurgency, and communal clashes.
As Nigeria navigates this precarious moment, Danjuma’s words underscore the growing frustration among citizens who feel abandoned by the state. However, his call for self-defence raises critical questions about the implications of communities taking up arms in the absence of robust governance and coordinated security measures. For now, the retired general’s message serves as both a rallying cry and a stark reminder of the daunting challenges facing Africa’s most populous nation.
No fewer than 26 people lost their lives, with three others sustaining injuries, following an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation along the Rann–Kala Balge–Gamboru Ngala highway in Borno.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, several civilian vehicles travelling from Rann in Kala Balge LGA ran into a series of hidden explosives.
Makama said the incident occurred on Monday after the convoy veered into a zone where the IEDs had been strategically placed.
The publication said the IEDs were triggered by the movement of vehicles, adding that emergency personnel were swiftly deployed to evacuate victims and administer first aid.
“Security forces have since cordoned off the affected route and commenced clearance operations to ensure safety and prevent a repeat of the incident,” the report said.
“Those injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals where they are currently receiving medical attention.”
Last week, Mohammed Badaru, minister of defence, said President Bola Tinubu is committed to addressing the growing security challenges in Borno state.
The minister spoke about the administration’s commitment to meeting all operational needs of the troops to enhance security in the region.
The Oodua Integrity Group, a Nigerian civil society organisation, has called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and arrest an alleged gun runner, land grabber,popularly called then insert Lucky Blessings Abuah aka bullets of Achala Ibusa village operating in Asaba and Ibuzor, Delta State, accusing him of orchestrating criminal activities with the aid of rogue police officers.
Tosin Olaoluwa, the group’s South-South coordinator, made the appeal following intelligence gathered from concerned residents.
The suspect, identified as Achala Ibusa but popularly known as “Bullet,” is accused of running a network involving illegal arms trafficking, land grabbing, and cult-related activities.
Olaoluwa claimed Bullet operates with the protection of police officers from Rivers State, in violation of regulations prohibiting officers from working outside their command without approval.
According to the group, four AK-47 rifles were recently discovered hidden in a house in Ibuzor.
Two mobile police officers guarding the property reportedly distanced themselves from the find, raising suspicions of their involvement with Bullet, who is allegedly a leader of the Viking cult.
The Oodua Integrity Group further alleged that an assistant commissioner of police is complicit in Bullet’s activities.
The group highlighted that up to 10 mobile police officers are attached to Bullet, despite IGP Egbetokun’s recent directive to withdraw such personnel from individuals not legally entitled to their services.
“We urge the IGP to take immediate action to arrest the culprit in the interest of the general public,” Olaoluwa said, describing Bullet as a miscreant exploiting government security agents to perpetrate crimes.
In a separate incident, the group claimed that security agents from an agency in Abuja, acting on intelligence, were prevented from arresting Bullet by his police escorts.
The officers, reportedly from Rivers State, allegedly used tear gas and fired shots to obstruct the operation.
The Oodua Integrity Group warned that Bullet’s activities, including stockpiling AK-47s and other weapons in Asaba and Ibuzor, pose a significant threat to public safety.
They called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the immediate apprehension of those involved.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The Kaduna state Police Command has debunked reports of a bomb explosion in the Abakpa area of the metropolis, which reportedly killed two children.
The spokesman of the Command, Mansir Hassan, said in a statement that preliminary investigations conducted by the Anti-Bomb Squad indicate that a locally made firearm (Dane gun) was discharged, resulting in the unfortunate loss of life of the young boy.
According to the police, the incident, which occurred at about 8:30 am on Tuesday at Josawa Road in the Abakpa area, claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy, identified as Abubakar Muhammed of Josawa Road, while seven other individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The statement stated that a combined team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of Kawo Division and the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, all visited the scene following a distress call, and a thorough on-site assessment was carried out.
Police disclosed that further investigations and assessments are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Command equally assured the public that further developments will be promptly and transparently communicated.