Don't be cowards, confront bandits - Nigeria Defence minister

Nigerians must stand up to criminal elements who attack them and must also remain security conscious at all times, this is the advice of Defence Minister Bashir Magashi.

Speaking to journalists in the wake of the recent attack on a boarding school in Kagara in Niger State, the minister said most of these criminals have leveraged on fear by the public to continue their attacks. "It is the responsibility of everybody to keep alert and find safety when necessary. But we shouldn't be cowards.

"At times the bandits will only come with about three rounds of ammunition, when they fire a shot everybody runs... I don't know why people run away from a minor thing like that. They should stand.

"Let these people know that even the villages have the competencies and capabilities to defend themselves," he added. He however conceded that it was ultimately government's responsibility to ensure every Nigerian is safe.

On the attack of Wednesday February 17, the official account indicates that the assailants stormed the Government Science secondary school in the Kagara district of Niger state at around 2 a.m., overwhelming the school’s security detail.

“Twenty-seven students, three staff and 12 members of their families were kidnapped. Unfortunately, one student was shot dead,” State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello told a news conference.

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday deployed a security team to the State to help with the rescue efforts. Police also said today that they were committed to ensuring the safe return of all abducted persons.

Parts of northern Nigeria has been experiencing rising attacks on villages by bandits and other criminals who kidnap people for ransom. The incidence of cattle rustling has also roiled the north central and north west in recent times.

“During our time we used to stand and fight, I don’t know why people run from bandits” Minister Of Defence pic.twitter.com/hZQ7aqqnV4

— AIT (@AIT_Online) February 17, 2021