Minister of Defence Major-General Bashir Magashi (rtd) Wednesday asked Nigerians to confront bandits and other gunmen threatening the nation’s security, just as he opposed the bearing of arms in self-defence.
Magashi who spoke at a media parley on the sideline of the screening of Service Chiefs by the House of Representatives Abuja, tagged abductors of students of Kagara College in Rafi local government area of Niger state Wednesday as cowards.
“Well, is it 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 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,” Magashi said.
But when asked whether Nigerians be allowed to bear arms in self-defence, the minister said: “It is an issue currently even in the developed country. They are still debating on whether to continue (to allow people bear arms) or stop. But I don’t advise Nigerians to bear fire arms for internal use.”