Nigeria’s insecurity: Again, Masari calls for self defence

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, on Monday reiterated his call on residents of the state to defend themselves against bandits and other criminals.

He insisted that the reality on the ground had shown that the security of lives and property is a collective responsibility and not that of the Government or security agencies alone.

The Governor made the appeal in Katsina during the 2022 special prayer session in commemoration of ‘Yaumush Shukur’ (Thanksgiving) day for God’s blessings on Katsina State.

He charged the residents not to fold their arms and wait for the government to protect them. 

He said, “The security challenges we are facing in terms of killings and kidnappings are not only limited to Katsina or Nigeria but they happen everywhere even in America and China. But their citizens don’t fold their arms and wait for the government. 

“So, don’t lock yourselves inside and say it is the responsibility of the government or police to defend you: how many people will the police defend? But if you defend yourself it will reduce the work of policemen and soldiers”.

The governor also enjoined residents to pray to God to end current security challenges in some parts of the state and in the country in general.

Masari, however, maintained that notwithstanding the current security challenges, the state had every reason to be grateful to God. He enjoined residents to always be grateful to God so that the state could receive more blessings from God.

Highlights of the occasion included special reading from the  Holy Quran and brief sermons by the clerics in attendance.

Among dignitaries who attended the special prayer, session were the state Deputy Governor, Mannir Yakubu; the state Chief Judge, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar; Emir of Daura, Dr. Farouq Umar; former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mustapha Muhammed Inuwa, as well as top government officials and Islamic clerics.