Insecurity: You have a right to self-defence — Bwala tells Nigerians

Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has stated that citizens have a fundamental and legitimate right to self-defence when faced with imminent threats from violent non-state actors, amid lingering security challenges across the federation.

Bwala made the assertion on Wednesday during a current affairs programme, where he argued that while the primary constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property rests with the government and security agencies, citizens should not fold their arms when attacked in their homes or communities.

He explained that self-defence within the boundaries of the law is globally recognized, especially when state security apparatuses face operational constraints or delays in responding to distress calls.

He clarified that his position was not a call for anarchy or illegal arms proliferation, but rather an advocacy for lawful community vigilance, intelligence sharing, and proactive measures to prevent criminal invasions.

Bwala urged the federal and state governments to urgently decentralize security architectures, empower local vigilante groups, and deploy advanced technological assets to neutralize criminal elements before they launch attacks on vulnerable populations.