The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has declared that the Nigerian Constitution upholds the right of citizens to self-defence. Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday, the presidential spokesperson emphasized that Nigerians are constitutionally permitted to defend themselves, including through the use of arms.
Constitutional Right to Self-Defence
Bwala made these remarks while commenting on recent attacks by bandits in the Esiele community in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as the abduction of teachers and pupils from LA Primary School. He stated, "The constitution has guaranteed to every citizen of Nigeria the right to self-defence; you have the right to defend yourself." He further explained that individual rights combine to form collective rights: "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 added a strong example: "If you come to my house to try to kill me, any lethal weapon I use to defend myself is guaranteed by the Constitution." However, Bwala noted that the law regulates the right to bear arms, stating, "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."
Call for Citizen Assistance
Bwala urged citizens to assist the government in tackling insecurity. He remarked, "Solution is what we all look to; evil men operate anywhere in the world, no matter how tight you are as a government. 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." He acknowledged public frustration: "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."
Election Cycle and Terrorism
The presidential spokesperson linked the rise in terrorist attacks to Nigeria's election cycle. He observed, "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."
