Two influential northern groups, the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria and the Arewa Defence League, have raised alarm over the worsening insecurity in Northern Nigeria, urging citizens to resort to self-defence against banditry. They argue that the government’s failure to protect lives and property has left communities with no other choice.
Ishaq Usman Kasai, Chairman of the Birnin-Gwari-Niger Interboundary Community Union for Peace and Development, has also called for legislation to allow citizens to bear arms for self-protection against bandits, who continue to terrorize residents.
Murtala Abubakar, President of the Arewa Defence League, highlighted the government’s shortcomings, saying, “Citizens hand over their rights to an authority to ensure their safety. If the government fails to uphold this responsibility, it has failed fundamentally.” He warned that Nigeria risks a scenario akin to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where militias control much of the country while the capital city remains secure.
Abubakar stressed that community organization is essential to enabling citizens to defend themselves. He added, “In the event of total government failure, communities should be prepared to bear arms and protect themselves.”
Isah Abubakar, President of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, echoed similar sentiments. He voiced frustration over the government’s inability to curb the violence, despite having two ministers of defence from the Northwest. “The bandits have overpowered the security forces, and now the people must take up self-defence,” he said.
Kasai underscored that reconciliation efforts with bandits have consistently failed across states like Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kaduna, making self-defence the only viable option. He emphasized the need for urgent legislation to permit arms-bearing as a necessary step toward protection.
“Negotiations with criminals have failed repeatedly. Communities, such as Birnin-Gwari, have tried and failed. The only solution left is self-defence,” Kasai concluded.
