The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said Nigerians are constitutionally entitled to defend themselves when faced with violent attacks by terrorists and bandits, including threats to life.
Bwala made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television while reacting to recent security incidents across the country, including the killings in Esiele community in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the abduction of teachers and pupils at LA Primary School.
According to him, the Nigerian Constitution recognises the right of citizens to protect themselves against attackers.
“The constitution has guaranteed to every citizen of Nigeria the right to self-defence; you have the right to defend yourself,” he said.
“When your right, my right, and that of my neighbour is put together, it becomes collective rights to defend ourselves and Nigerians have the right to defend themselves.”
He further stated that individuals are permitted to use necessary force when their lives are under threat.
“If you come to my house to try to kill me, any lethal weapon I use to defend myself is guaranteed by the Constitution,” Bwala added.
The presidential aide, however, clarified that the possession of firearms remains subject to existing laws and government approval.
“Nigerians don’t have the right to bear certain arms unless those arms are permitted but the collective people can come together to apply to the government for the right to coordinate themselves,” he said.
Speaking on the broader security situation in the country, Bwala maintained that criminal activities are not unique to Nigeria, stressing that cooperation between citizens and security agencies remains vital in tackling insecurity.
“Solution is what we all look to; evil men operate anywhere in the world, no matter how tight you are as a government,” he said.
“You do your best and expect that with the help of God and collective participation of the people through collective intelligence, we will be able to put an end to it.”
Bwala acknowledged growing public frustration over repeated attacks and killings, noting that citizens have every reason to express grief and anger whenever such incidents occur.
“I know the Nigerian people will continue to complain. For example, no matter how we say that we are sorry and the incident happens again, people will complain, cry and mourn because it’s the lives of the Nigerian people that are taken away by the evil element. We will put an end to this as a people,” he said.
He also linked the rise in insecurity to political periods leading up to elections, claiming that criminal elements often exploit tensions surrounding election cycles.
“Every eve of elections in Nigeria from 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026, you will see that crisis increases because of the idea of a crisis economy. A lot of people take advantage of that but the will and spirit of the collective people is what will put an end to this situation,” Bwala stated.
The presidential spokesman further highlighted the role being played by community-based security groups and local intelligence gathering in supporting security agencies, particularly in states facing insurgency threats.
“As a people, we have vigilantes, and in Borno State, we have paramilitary organisations that provide intelligence to law enforcement,” he added.