Nigeria’s defence minister Bashir Magashi on Thursday denied challenging Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits’ attack.

Mr. Magashi, in a video where he addressed newsmen said Nigerians should be courageous enough when bandits fire “minor” shots.

“At times, the bandits will only come with about three rounds of ammunition, when they fire shots everybody runs. In our younger days, we stand to fight any aggression coming for us,” Mr. Magashi, a retired army general, boasted.

“I don’t know why people are running from minor things like that. They should stand and let these people know that even the villagers have the competency and capability to defend themselves.”

While defending his earlier comment, Mr. Magashi said he didn’t ask Nigerians to kill themselves, but the attacked villagers should learn to make some sacrifices, resist running away in manners that will make bandits victorious and protect themselves in the little way they can. 

“I didn’t say they should go and kill themselves, but they should watch and see what will happen before they take the step of abandoning their house just because somebody has made a shot or two that’s what I was trying to say. I didn’t say Nigerians should defend themselves.

“I only said that every attack should not be seen as ‘if I don’t run away there’s nothing else I can do’, there are so many ways you can defend yourself, you can hide and watch what he is doing and as soon as he exhausts his strength then you can run over him that’s what I mean.”

Speaking further, he advised Nigerians to be more courageous and “If there is one or two people shooting in the air just to scare them, steal their things or kidnap some people”, the villagers can resist it by understanding simple techniques of protecting themselves, “how many houses can they enter before they finish their ammunition? Mr. Magashi asked.

Asked how the attacked can defend themselves against bandits, the minister reiterated that they should not exhibit cowardice and “see the first attempt as a wakeup call, find yourself in a good position, if they want to overrun you, then you run away.

“There is no need to allow small people on two motorcycles to come and destroy a whole village that’s what I mean and they should know that the people there will resist them, if they (bandits) know that they can be resisted, then they probably can need more fire power to come there, before they have that power, the military or police should have that information which they will come and protect them in more strength and commitment that’s what I mean.”

On if Nigerians should bear arms, the minister maintained that the time is not auspicious enough as the federal government needs to be more prepared.

“I don’t think it is an appropriate time for Nigerians to be armed. I think we need more time to think about it, more enlightenment, the country should be well prepared to understand the sacrifices that one does, everyone should know their limitations, there is law and order and there is respect for human rights. If all these are achieved, probably we can allow some people to hold arms.”