President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, says Nigerians are constitutionally empowered to defend themselves against attackers, including in situations involving lethal threats, while assuring that the government is working to curb insecurity across the country.
Bwala made the statement during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, while reacting to recent violent incidents, including the killings in Esiele community in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the abduction of teachers and pupils at LA Primary School.
Bwala stressed that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to protect themselves.
“The constitution has guaranteed to every citizen of Nigeria the right to self-defence; you have the right to defend yourself,” he said.
Bwala, however, cautioned that firearm possession remains regulated under law, adding, “Nigerians don’t have the right to bear certain arms unless those arms are permitted but the collective people can come together to apply to the government for the right to coordinate themselves.”
Explaining the government’s position on insecurity, Bwala said criminality is a global challenge but insisted that collective action would help address it.