The Presidency has reiterated that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to self-defence.
This position was disclosed by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, during an appearance on Arise Television on Wednesday.
Bwala assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration is committed to ending the wave of killings and kidnappings across the country.
“Solution is what we all look to. Evil men operate anywhere in the world, no matter how tight you are as a government.
“You do your best and expect that with the help of God and the collective participation of the people — through collective intelligence — we will be able to put an end to it.
“I know Nigerians will continue to complain, and rightly so. Because no matter how many times we apologise, when these incidents happen again, people will cry and mourn. These are lives being taken by evil elements. But as a people, we will put an end to this,” Bwala said.
His comments come in the wake of two recent school attacks. Gunmen invaded LA Primary School in Esiele community, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting pupils and teachers.
Separately, Boko Haram insurgents abducted no fewer than 42 students on Friday after storming a primary and junior secondary school in Mussa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
Bwala added: “The Constitution guarantees every citizen of Nigeria the right to self-defence. You have the right to defend yourself. When your right, my right, and that of our neighbour are put together, it becomes a collective right to defend ourselves.”
He explained that citizens may use any lawful lethal weapon to defend themselves if attacked in their homes, while stressing the role of community vigilance.
“As a people, we have vigilantes, and in Borno State, we have paramilitary organisations that provide intelligence to law enforcement,” the presidential aide said.
He, however, clarified that Nigerians do not have unrestricted rights to bear arms except as permitted by law.
He added that communities could coordinate and formally apply to the government for approval to organise themselves for self-defence.