Buy Arms And Defend Yourselves Against Bandits— Kabbi Emir Urges Residents

The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera, has urged residents of communities under his emirate in Kebbi State to legally acquire weapons and organise community-based self-defence mechanisms to protect themselves against persistent attacks by bandits and other criminal elements.

The monarch made the call during a meeting with district heads, village heads and ward heads held at his palace in Argungu.

According to the Emir, communities should remain vigilant and proactive in confronting the growing insecurity threatening lives and property across the area.

He advised residents to collectively raise funds to procure legally approved weapons for self-defence, stressing that the mere knowledge that a community is capable of defending itself could discourage attacks by armed groups.

“If you acquire such weapons legally, make sure the bandits are aware that your community possesses the means to defend itself. This alone can serve as a deterrent and discourage attacks,” Mera said.

The traditional ruler said Islam does not encourage believers to remain helpless in the face of violence and criminality.

“It is not right for a Muslim to remain passive while criminals kill people, kidnap innocent citizens, and rape our women. Be prepared to defend yourselves, your families, and your communities against any attack,” he stated.

Lamenting the vulnerability of many rural communities, the Emir said that residents often flee when bandits strike because they lack the capacity to resist.

“When bandits attack, people start running, including village heads. This is happening because communities do not have adequate means of self-defence,” he said.

Mera, however, clarified that his comments should not be interpreted as a call for vigilantism or lawlessness.

He said he was advocating lawful self-defence within the law, noting that the security crisis confronting many communities has become too overwhelming for security agencies to tackle alone.

The Emir described it as painful that innocent citizens continue to lose their lives without resistance, while cautioning residents against ethnic violence, revenge attacks and extrajudicial killings.

“I will not support anyone carrying arms to attack other ethnic groups or engage in unlawful killings,” he warned.

According to him, many attacks are reprisals arising from previous incidents, urging residents not to target innocent persons in retaliation.

“Every unlawful killing only breeds another cycle of revenge,” he added.

The monarch further alleged that although many members of the Lakurawa group had left the area, they had reportedly left behind armed bandits who continue to terrorise communities and maintain links with former collaborators.

He called on residents across the Argungu Emirate to cooperate with security agencies, remain vigilant and uphold the fear of God in their daily activities as efforts continue to address the security challenges facing the region.