The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera, has urged communities within his emirate to legally acquire weapons for self-defence amid persistent attacks by bandits and other criminal elements.
The monarch made the call during a meeting with district heads, village heads and ward heads at his palace in Argungu, Kebbi State, where he expressed concern over the growing insecurity affecting communities across the emirate.
According to the Emir, residents must remain vigilant and take proactive steps to safeguard their communities against terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups responsible for attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes.
He suggested that communities could collectively raise funds to procure legally approved weapons to strengthen their ability to defend themselves when necessary.
“If you acquire such weapons legally, make sure the bandits are aware that your community possesses the means to defend itself. This alone can serve as a deterrent and discourage attacks,” he said.
The traditional ruler stressed that self-defence is not inconsistent with Islamic teachings, noting that communities should not remain helpless in the face of violent attacks.
“It is not right for a Muslim to remain passive while criminals kill people, kidnap innocent citizens and rape our women. Be prepared to defend yourselves, your families and your communities against any attack,” he stated.
The Emir lamented that many communities have become increasingly vulnerable because they lack the means to protect themselves during attacks.
“When bandits attack, people start running, including village heads. This is happening because communities do not have adequate means of self-defence,” he added.
However, Mera clarified that he was not encouraging residents to take the law into their own hands or engage in unlawful acts. Rather, he said he was advocating lawful self-defence, arguing that the scale of the security challenges facing many rural communities has become too overwhelming for security agencies to tackle alone.
He also cautioned against ethnic violence, revenge attacks and extrajudicial killings, warning that such actions only fuel further cycles of conflict.
The Emir said he would not support anyone carrying arms to attack members of other ethnic groups or engage in unlawful killings, emphasizing that innocent people should not be targeted in retaliation for crimes committed by others.
According to him, many violent attacks are often driven by reprisals, making it important for communities to resist the temptation of seeking revenge.
Mera further alleged that although many members of the Lakurawa group had reportedly left the area, some armed bandits remained behind and continued to maintain links with former collaborators while carrying out attacks on communities.
He called on residents across the Argungu Emirate to cooperate with security agencies, remain vigilant and uphold the fear of God in their daily activities as efforts continue to address the security challenges facing the region.