Nigeria’s former Minister of Defence, Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma (retd) has asked Nigerians to rise up and defend themselves against rampaging militias and other criminal elements wreaking havoc on lives and properties in North Central States of Plateau and Benue, as well as other parts of Nigeria.
The warning by the ex-military chief underscores government increasing failure to curb the attacks as residents in Plateau and Benue states continue to live in the morbid fear of where their assailants could come from next.
Danjuma, who spoke at a public function in his hometown, Takum, Taraba State, reiterated a warning he gave five years ago, arguing that relying solely on government security forces is no longer realistic.
The retired military chief had in the past called on Nigerians to harm themselves, stay vigilant and not allow the men of the underworld take them by surprise. More often, this type of pragmatic call is always criticized by the government of the day, who sees more arms in the hands of private citizens as a threat to the state, notwithstanding its obvious failure to guarantee security to citizens.
But Danjuma, a courageous speaker, who likes to express himself without mincing words said “the warning I gave years ago remains valid. Nigerians must rise and defend themselves before these bandits overrun the entire country.”
Danjuma expressed sorrow over the ongoing killings in Benue and Plateau states, describing them as evidence of the government’s failure to secure the lives and property of its citizens.
“We must be proactive. We cannot continue to watch helplessly while our people are massacred. Enough is enough,” he stressed.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that raids this month have claimed at least 107 lives—51 killed on April 14 in Bassa LGA and another 56 slain on April 19 in Ukum and Logo LGAs.
In Benue, the death toll has risen to 56 as of April 19, Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed after visiting the affected communities hit by the ongoing wave of violence in largely agragrian communities that serve as the food basket of the nation.
In the last three months alone, deadly attacks have claimed at least 284 lives across Plateau and Benue states, according reports that documented the incessant killings.
