Aminu Bello Masari, governor of Katsina State, has again called on residents of the state to defend themselves against bandits and other criminals.
Masari who spoke during the 2022 special prayer in Katsina on Monday, argued that the reality on the ground has shown that the security of life and property is a collective responsibility and not that of the government or security agencies alone.
The special prayer was in commemoration of ‘Yaumush Shukur’ (Thanksgiving Day) for God’s blessings on the state.
This happened on the day many people marched on the streets of Abuja, calling for an end to worsening insecurity.
The protesters, under the auspices of the Guardians of Democracy and Development Initiative (GDDI), urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.) and the Minister of Defence Minister, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (retd.) for alleged incompetence.
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, like: “Defence Minister is incompetent, sack him now”; “Magashi must go”; “We say no to incompetent NSA and Defence Minister,” among others.
They expressed anger over the escalating insecurity across the state.
Their spokesman Danesi Momoh said the group might be forced to mobilise other Nigerians to join those calling for the resignation or impeachment of the President, if he fails to sack the NSA and the Minister of Defence.
Accompanied by the group’s Co-convener Igwe Ide-Umanta, Comrade Momoh said: “We wish to start with the statement credited to the NSA himself, Maj.-Gen. Monguno (retd.), where he was quoted as saying: ‘People are getting tired and are beginning to gravitate into other means of self-help.’
Masari told the residents not to fold their arms and wait for the government to protect them.
He said: “The security challenges we are facing, in terms of killings and kidnappings, are not only limited to Katsina or Nigeria but they happen everywhere, even in America and China. But their citizens don’t fold their arms and wait for the government.
“So, don’t lock yourselves inside and say it is the responsibility of the government or police to defend you. How many people will the police defend? But if you defend yourself, it will reduce the work of policemen and soldiers.”
Masari also advised residents to pray to God to end the security challenges in some parts of the state and across the country.
The governor said despite the current security challenges, the state had every reason to be grateful to God.