FG counteracts Masari Over Calls For Self-defence

The Federal Government has opposed  over his demands for the people of the state to take up guns and protect themselves against bandit terrorists.

Information reaching us has it that the government is countering what Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State   said that residents of towns attack by terrorists to try to find weapons to defend themselves from attacks.

In an interview on Monday, Governor Masari said that it’s better people are allow to defend themselves rather than bandits continuing to kill innocent citizens.

Replying, the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi disagreed with the governor that the people of the state should carry arms and protect themselves from terrorists’ attacks.

Speaking during the 2nd annual media briefing at Force headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Dingyadi said the governor didn’t do well for encouraging residents to carry arms illegally.

The minister said that though Masari is entitled to his opinion, the Muhammadu Buhari-led government will not allow citizen self-defence.

“I think we should know that we are in Nigeria, where everybody is entitled to his opinion. I think the governor has the right to canvass for what he thinks is right in his state,” he said.

He added, “Of course, we shouldn’t expect the people to just be sleeping without taking measures to ensure that they secure themselves, they secure their neighbours and they secure their communities. That is the essence of community policing.”

Dingyadi, called for the backing and partnership of Nigerians in the efforts the government is making towards fighting crimes and misconducts.

“We need to have the support and partnership of Nigerians in the efforts we are making towards fighting crimes and criminalities. I think that is what the governor is talking about.

“Everybody should contribute his quota towards fighting crimes. We are not saying people should take arms illegally.

“What we’re saying is that people should get ready in whatever it takes to do so, to ensure that we protect ourselves, we protect our neighbours, we protect our communities,” he said.