Banditry: Defend yourselves, FG tells Nigerians

The Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (rtd) yesterday told Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits.

Addressing newsmen after the screening of the new service chiefs by a joint committee of the

House of Representatives, the minister said bandits would run away if they know that Nigerians have the competence and capability to defend themselves.

“It is the responsibility of everybody to be alert and ensure safety when necessary.

“We shouldn’t be cowards. Sometimes, the bandits come with about three rounds of ammunition and when they fire shots everybody will run. In our younger days, we stand to fight any form of aggression.

“Why should people run away from minor, minor aggressions? We should stand and face them. If these people know that the people have the competence and capability to defend themselves, they will run away,” he said.

He also said the Federal Government would use the negotiation and intelligent strategies used to rescue Kankara students in Katsina State to rescue the students abducted yesterday by bandits in Kagara, Niger State. He said the abducted students would be freed as security agencies had deployed all the necessary personnel to begin the rescue efforts.

“We’ve not got a feedback on the activities going on in Niger State. But I’m sure that before the end of the day, we’ll be given a full brief on what’s going on in Niger State”.

Commissioner of Information Malam Muhammad Garba, presenting cash donation in company of the commissioners of Education Muhammad Sunusi Kiru and Commerce Barrister Ahmad Mukhtar, at the palace of Sarkin Hausawa of Ibadan to deliver cash donation to kano Indigenes affected by Shadda crisis in Ibadan, Oyo state.