The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera, has called on residents of his emirate to legally acquire weapons to protect their communities from persistent attacks by bandits and other criminal elements.
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The monarch also urged communities to remain vigilant and take proactive measures against terrorists and criminals who frequently invade and terrorise their areas.
He made the call during a meeting with district heads, village heads, and ward heads at his palace in Argungu, Kebbi State.
The Emir advised communities to consider pooling resources to purchase legally approved weapons for self-defence.
“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.
He stressed that Islam does not encourage people to remain helpless in the face of violence and insecurity.
“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,” the Emir stated.
The traditional ruler lamented that many communities had become vulnerable because they lacked the means to defend themselves.
“When bandits attack, people start running, including village heads. This is happening because communities do not have adequate means of self-defence,” he said.
The Emir clarified that he was not encouraging communities to take the law into their own hands or engage in vigilantism. Rather, he said he was advocating lawful self-defence, noting that the security challenges facing many communities have become too overwhelming for security agencies alone to address.
He described it as disheartening that communities continue to lose lives without any form of resistance, while also warning against ethnic violence, reprisals, and extrajudicial killings.
The monarch emphasized that he would not support anyone carrying arms to attack other ethnic groups or engage in unlawful acts.
According to him, many attacks are reprisals, and communities must avoid taking revenge on innocent people, as every unlawful killing only fuels another cycle of violence.
The Emir further stated that although many members of the Lakurawa group had reportedly left the area, they allegedly left behind armed bandits who continue to terrorise communities and maintain links with former collaborators.
He called on residents across the Argungu Emirate to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and uphold the fear of God in all their dealings.
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