Self-Defence Will Cause Anarchy – Jigawa Governor Replies Danjuma   

By The9JaTREND

Amid rising insecurity in parts of Nigeria, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has cautioned against calls for self-defence, warning that such a move could plunge the country into anarchy.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Governor Namadi responded to recent comments by retired General Theophilus Danjuma, who urged Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits and armed attackers, particularly in Benue and Plateau States.

General Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence, had argued that reliance on the government for protection was no longer tenable given the spate of violence and killings in the country.

“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 said during a public event in Takum, Taraba State, on Saturday.

But Governor Namadi rejected that approach, describing it as 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 rather than encourage armed self-defence, the government at all levels must continue to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

“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.

Long-standing Farmer-herder Clash

Namadi cited his administration’s approach to resolving the long-standing farmer-herder clashes in Jigawa State as a better alternative. According to him, when he assumed office, he prioritised non-violent conflict resolution strategies.

“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 helped halt a decades-long conflict: “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 noted that Jigawa is currently not among the states facing severe threats such as insurgency or mass killings by bandits. Instead, the primary challenge had been farmer-herder clashes, which his administration has successfully curtailed.

“We thank God that Jigawa State is not affected by insurgency or insecurity for no. The major issue we are dealing with is the herders-farmers clash, and we are addressing it decisively,” he said.

Despite the worsening security in other parts of the country, Governor Namadi insisted that self-defence is not a viable solution and could deepen 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.

‘Not A Way To Go’ 

An expert on conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa, Bulama Bukarti, has also warned that calls for self-defence will worsen the situation.

Bukarti, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, countered Danjuma’s appeal for Nigerians to take up arms in defence of their lives and property.

He said that while the scale of violence is deeply troubling, encouraging civilians to arm themselves is not a solution.

“It is overwhelming, but to be honest, despite these, self-defence is the wrong thing to start; it is the wrong call,” he said during the programme.

He explained that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country already poses a serious security challenge, and that advocating for self-defence could further deteriorate public safety.

“Now, if you have calls for self-defence, what that means is that there will be more arms in the hands of ordinary Nigerians,” Bukarti warned. “More people will buy weapons, they will buy arms, and more people will start to kill people without justice.”

Danjuma had reiterated his position following fresh assaults in Benue and Plateau states, where over 150 persons were reportedly killed, several others injured, and many displaced.

Meanwhile, amid renewed violence and heavy casualties in Plateau State, Christians under the umbrella of the Church Denominational Leaders Forum and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) staged a peace walk on Monday to protest the persistent killings.

The march, which drew men, women, and youths, was both a tribute to victims and a demand for justice, following recent attacks in Bokkos and Bassa that left over 100 people dead. Participants carried banners bearing messages such as “Stop the bloodshed” and “Every life matters,” urging urgent intervention.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, had described the killings as genocidal and disclosed that over 60 communities had been taken over by armed invaders.

Similarly, neighbouring Benue State has faced a wave of deadly attacks, with 56 people killed in fresh assaults on Ukum and Logo local government areas. Both governors have called for urgent federal intervention to halt the bloodshed and reclaim affected territories from armed groups accused of land grabbing.

National figures and political leaders have joined in condemning the violence. President Bola Tinubu, in his Easter message, vowed that “forces of evil will never prevail,” while directing security agencies to take decisive action.

However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi criticised the administration’s handling of the crisis, calling for more empathy and grassroots-focused strategies. Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered increased patrols and protection of public spaces, particularly during the Easter period.