Major-General Bashir Magashi, the Defence Minister has said that the bandits now have the effrontery to attack because the people haven’t stood up against them.
Golden News NG earlier reported that gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked the Government Science College in Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state on Wednesday and President Buhari order the armed forces to secure the immediate release of those that were abducted.
Speaking to news men on the issue during the screening of service chiefs by the House of Representatives, Magashi urged the people not to be ‘cowards’. According to him, security isn’t the sole responsibility of the armed forces as Nigerians have a role to play also.
In his words;
“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.”
He also promised that the victim’s of the latest abduction will be rescued, just like how it was done for the Kastina school boys.
”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,” he said.
Magashi also started that he doesn’t recommend that Nigerians should be allowed to bare arms to defend themselves.
In his words;.
“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.”
See video below;
