Defend yourselves — government can’t do it alone, TY Danjuma tells Nigerians

Theophilus Danjuma, the former minister of defence, has asked Nigerians to take up the personal responsibility for their safety.

Speaking in Takum LGA of Taraba state, Danjuma said recent incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks have further demonstrated that the government cannot be solely relied upon to protect citizens.

“I know we have a lot of problems, including security, as recently as two or three days ago,” he said.

“We have experienced kidnapping, the threat of kidnapping will continue until we, every one of us, rise up and defend ourselves.

“It is quite clear the government alone cannot do it. I have warned a very long time ago, in a speech in Wukari, that our people must be prepared to defend themselves.

“That warning is as valid today as it was when I made it.”

On Saturday, Matthew Kukah, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, asked President Bola Tinubu to rescue Nigerians from the “cross of evil”.

In his 2025 Easter message titled ‘Mr President: Please bring us down from this cross’, Kukah said the country is bleeding from savagery and brutality “never witnessed in the history of our dear country”.