INSECURITY: BWALA SAYS NIGERIANS HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENCE
Read Time:1 Minute, 55 Second
By; Sunmola Ganiyat
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said Nigerians have the constitutional right to defend themselves against attacks, including situations involving threats to life, while stressing that the government remains committed to tackling insecurity nationwide.
Bwala made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while reacting to recent security incidents, including the killings in Esiele community in Oyo State’s Orire Local Government Area and the abduction of teachers and pupils from LA Primary School.
According to him, the Nigerian Constitution recognises the right of citizens to self-defence.
“The constitution has guaranteed every Nigerian the right to self-defence; you have the right to protect yourself,” he stated.
He added that when individual rights are combined, they become a collective right for communities to defend themselves against criminal attacks.
“If someone comes into my home with the intention to kill me, any reasonable force or lethal weapon used in self-defence is protected by the Constitution,” he said.
However, Bwala clarified that the possession of firearms remains subject to existing laws and regulations.
He explained that while citizens cannot freely possess prohibited weapons, communities can legally seek government approval to organise and coordinate security measures.
Addressing the broader insecurity situation, the presidential aide described crime as a global challenge, noting that no government can completely eliminate criminal activities without public cooperation.
“Evil people exist in every part of the world regardless of how effective a government may be. The solution lies in collective efforts, intelligence sharing, and the support of citizens,” he said.
He acknowledged that Nigerians would continue to express grief and frustration over recurring attacks, especially when innocent lives are lost.
“No matter how many condolences are offered, people will continue to mourn and complain whenever such incidents occur because human lives are involved. But together, we will overcome this challenge,” he added.
Bwala also suggested that insecurity tends to rise during election periods, citing previous election cycles from 2014 to 2026.
According to him, some individuals exploit political tensions and what he described as a “crisis economy” during election seasons.
He further highlighted the importance of local vigilante groups and community-based security collaboration, pointing to paramilitary and intelligence-support structures operating in states such as Borno.
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