The emir of Argungu, Muhammad Samaila-Mera, has urged communities in his emirate to legally acquire arms and strengthen local vigilance to protect themselves from persistent attacks by bandits and other criminal elements.

The emir made the call on Friday during a meeting with district, village, and ward heads at his palace in Argungu.

Mr Samaila-Mera stressed the need for communities to intensify intelligence gathering and promptly share useful information with security agencies to support efforts to tackle insecurity.

He advised residents to collectively mobilise resources to procure government-approved weapons for lawful self-defence.

According to him, the mere knowledge that a community has the capacity to defend itself could serve as a strong deterrent to criminal attacks.

“If communities legally acquire arms and bandits become aware that residents are prepared to defend themselves, it will discourage many attacks,” he said.

The emir said self-defence within the confines of the law was necessary, given the rising security challenges facing rural communities.

“It is not proper for people to remain helpless while criminals kill innocent citizens, abduct residents, and violate women. Communities should be prepared to defend themselves, their families, and their property against any form of attack,” he advised.

The emir lamented that many communities had become easy targets for bandits because they lacked the means and organisation required for self-defence.

According to him, the situation often leaves residents and traditional leaders with no option but to flee when attacks occur.

Mr Samaila-Mera, however, clarified that his remarks should not be interpreted as an endorsement of vigilantism or unlawful violence.

He said that while security agencies remain at the forefront of the fight against insecurity, “the scale of the challenge requires greater community participation through lawful and coordinated measures.”

The emir also cautioned against ethnic profiling, reprisals, and extrajudicial killings, warning that revenge attacks often fuel further violence and deepen insecurity.

“I will never support the use of arms against innocent people or members of any ethnic group. Most of the violence we witness today is linked to cycles of revenge. Communities should therefore avoid taking the law into their own hands,” he urged.

Mr Samaila-Mera further alleged that although many members of the Lakurawa group had left the area, some armed bandits remained behind and continued to terrorise communities while maintaining contact with their former collaborators.

He called on residents across the Argungu Emirate to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and uphold the fear of God in their daily activities to promote peace and security in the area. 

(NAN)