Security concerns: Emir of Argungu urges locals to arm themselves for self-protection

The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera, has urged residents of his emirate to obtain weapons through legal means, enabling them to protect their communities from the relentless attacks by bandits that have been plaguing the area.

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During a meeting with district heads, village heads, and ward heads at his palace in Argungu on Thursday, the Emir emphasized the crucial role of intelligence gathering and information sharing with security agencies in combating terrorism and crime.

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The Emir suggested that communities consider pooling their resources to purchase legally approved weapons for self-defense, stressing that this would serve as a deterrent to potential attackers.

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He advised that if communities were to acquire such weapons legally, they should ensure that the bandits are aware of their ability to defend themselves, which could discourage attacks and provide a measure of security.

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The Emir noted that Islam does not encourage people to remain helpless in the face of violence, emphasizing that it is not right for Muslims to remain passive while criminals commit atrocities such as killings, kidnappings, and rape.

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He urged communities to be prepared to defend themselves, their families, and their communities against any attack, highlighting the importance of self-defense in the face of overwhelming security challenges.

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The Emir lamented that many communities have become vulnerable to attacks due to their lack of adequate means of self-defense, citing the example of village heads fleeing during bandit attacks.

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He clarified that his call for self-defense was not an encouragement for communities to take the law into their own hands or engage in acts of terrorism, but rather a advocacy for lawful self-defense in the face of overwhelming security challenges.

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The Emir expressed his dismay at the continued loss of lives in communities without any form of resistance, warning against ethnic violence and extrajudicial killings, which he described as disheartening.

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He cautioned against carrying out revenge attacks against innocent people, emphasizing that every unlawful killing only breeds another cycle of revenge and perpetuates violence.

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The Emir noted that although many members of the Lakurawa group had left the area, they had allegedly left behind armed bandits who continue to terrorize communities and maintain links with their former collaborators.

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He called on communities across the Argungu Emirate to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and uphold the fear of God in all their dealings, in order to address the security challenges facing the region.

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The Emir's call for self-defense comes at a time when the country is experiencing ceaseless attacks and kidnappings by terrorists, which have heightened tensions and underscored the need for communities to take proactive measures to protect themselves.