The Minister of Defence, Maj- Gen. Bashir Magashi has advised armless Nigerians who are not allowed to bear arms to stop running away from bandits but rather confront the criminals.
Mr Magashi gave the advise yesterday while fielding questions at the screening of service chiefs by the joint committee of the House of Representatives.
Insecurity particularly kidnappings has been on the rise recently. In the North bandits are being accused of perpetuating the crime while in the South, herdsmen are inculpated as arrowheads.
Reacting to the Kagara abduction which took place yesterday in Niger State, the minister said Nigerians should stop behaving like cowards as security was not the job of the military alone.
”Is it (security issue) the responsibility of the military alone? Magashi queried, “We shouldn’t be cowards.”
“It is the responsibility of everybody to be alert and ensure safety when necessary.
“We shouldn’t be cowards. Sometimes 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 added.
