Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Major General Bashir Magashi, has said
Nigerians are cowards for running away while “minor aggressions” from
bandits prevail in the country, blaming residents of Kagara in the Rafi
Local Government Area of Niger State for the recent abduction of
secondary school students in the community.
Magashi said all Nigerians have a responsibility to ensure there is
adequate security within their areas.
Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the screening of service
chiefs by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Magashi said,
“Well, is it not the responsibility of the military alone? 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.”
The minister also boasted that all abducted students would be rescued
soon.
He said the service chiefs would swing into action immediately they are
through with the screening exercise by the lawmakers and track down the
kidnappers to rescue the children.
Magashi said, ”We have demonstrated our ability to take on the
challenge. We have done it in Katsina; when children were kidnapped.
Within two days, we got them back. Hopefully, this time, we will do the
same (thing) to get these captives back. We are planning.
“We have not got feedback on the activities going on in Niger State. But
I am sure that before the end of the day, we will be given a full brief
on what is going on in Niger State.”
Over 300 schoolboys who were abducted from Government Science Secondary
School, Kankara in Katsina State last December were not released until
six days later, contrary to the statement made by the defence minister
that they were released two days later.
They were kidnapped on the evening of December 11, 2020, and it was not
until December 17, 2020, that the students regained their freedom.
The minister also dismissed the clamour from some quarters for Nigerians
to be allowed to bear arms to defend themselves.
“It is an issue currently even in the developed country. They are still
debating on whether to continue (to allow people to bear arms) or stop.
But I don’t advise Nigerians to bear firearms for internal use,” he
added.