CAN says Masari’s call for self-defence confirms security agents’ helplessness

CAN says Masari’s call for self-defence confirms security agents’ helplessness

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that the call by the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, for people of the state to defend themselves against terrorists was unfortunate and a confirmation of the helplessness of security agents in tackling insecurity in the country.

Masari had in a chat on the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) challenged the people of Katsina to acquire arms in a bid to protect themselves from bandits terrorizing communities in the Northwest.

Reacting to the Governor’s comments, CAN Vice Chairman (Northern region), Rev. John Hayab, in a statement issued in Abuja, said the organisation was concerned that security agencies had been unable to redress the issue of banditry and other crimes in the region.

He said, “The public talk by Governor Masari about self-defense is not new to us and our constitution.

“The only concern, we have is that our security agencies will use this to arrest more victims whose only sin is having guns to defend themselves while the criminals will continue to do havoc and will not be arrested.

“When a serving governor repeatedly makes this type of comment that Governor Masari is making which, to my knowledge, is the second time he is saying that citizens should get weapons to defend themselves; then know that he is aware that our security forces cannot defeat the bandits.

“It’s unfortunate that our leaders would advise citizens who are still waiting for a miracle to happen with regards to defeating the bandits to wake up and perform the miracle themselves.

“Those we have been praying and hoping that they will defeat the terrorist for us are saying that they cannot help us.”