President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, believes Nigerians have the constitutional right to defend themselves against attacks, including lethal threats, while adding that the government is striving to reduce insecurity across the country.
Bwala made the statement during an interview with Arise Television on Wednesday, in response to recent violent episodes such as the deaths in Esiele community in Oyo State’s Orire Local Government Area and the abduction of teachers and students from LA Primary School.
Bwala emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution protects citizens’ right to self-defense.
“The constitution has guaranteed to every citizen of Nigeria the right to self-defence; you have the right to defend yourself,” he said.
“When your right, my right, and that of my neighbour is put together, it becomes collective rights to defend ourselves and Nigerians have the right to defend themselves.
“If you come to my house to try to kill me, any lethal weapon I use to defend myself is guaranteed by the Constitution,” he added.
Bwala, on the other hand, emphasized that firearm possession remains limited by law, saying, “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.”
Bwala explained the government’s view on insecurity, stating that criminality is a worldwide issue that can be addressed via collaborative action.
“Solutions are 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 collective participation of the people through collective intelligence, we will be able to put an end to it,” he stressed.
On public reaction to recurring attacks, he stated that citizens will continue to be frustrated.
“I know the Nigerian people will continue to complain. For example, no matter how we say that we are sorry and the incident happens again, people will complain, cry and mourn because it’s the lives of the Nigerian people that are taken away by the evil element. We will put an end to this as a people,” he said.
Bwala also associated increased insecurity with election cycles and societal influences.
“Every eve of elections in Nigeria from 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026, you will see that crisis increases because of the idea of a crisis economy. A lot of people take advantage of that, but the will and spirit of the collective people is what will put an end to this situation,” he said.
Bwala also mentioned that the role of local vigilance groups and security collaboration.
“As a people, we have vigilantes, and in Borno State, we have paramilitary organizations that provide intelligence to law enforcement,” he said.
