…Says His Longstanding Warning Still Holds True

…‘Government Alone Cannot Handle Insecurity’

By Femi Bolaji

Former Minister of Defence and retired Army General, Theophilus Danjuma, has reiterated his call for self-defense in the face of growing insecurity across the country, warning that the threat of kidnapping will continue unless Nigerians collectively rise to protect themselves.

Speaking over the weekend during an Easter get-together with his staff in Takum, his hometown in Taraba State, Danjuma emphasized that government efforts alone are insufficient to tackle the nation’s security challenges.

“I know we have a lot of problems, including security. Just two or three days ago, we experienced a kidnapping incident near Kashimbilla involving one of the workers at a company working for me,” he said.

According to the retired general, the reality on the ground demands a more active role from citizens in their own defense.

“The threat of kidnapping will continue until each and every one of us rises up to defend ourselves,” he stated. “It is quite clear that government alone cannot do it.”

Danjuma referenced a speech he made years ago in Wukari, in which he urged Nigerians to be prepared to defend their communities. He said that warning remains just as relevant today.

“That warning is as valid today as it was when I made it,” he said. “If we can’t defend ourselves, we will be abandoning this country to bandits and thieves. And if we abandon our homes, where else do we go?”

His remarks come amid a surge in abductions and violent attacks across various parts of Nigeria, sparking renewed debate over citizen-led security initiatives and the push for state policing structures.