The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera, has called on residents of communities within his emirate to take proactive steps toward protecting themselves from the persistent threat of banditry by legally acquiring weapons for self-defence.
The traditional ruler made the appeal during a meeting with district heads, village heads, and ward heads held at his palace in Argungu, Kebbi State. The gathering focused on the worsening security situation affecting many rural communities and the urgent need for residents to strengthen local security measures while remaining within the bounds of the law.
Expressing deep concern over the continued attacks by bandits and other criminal elements, the Emir said communities must no longer remain vulnerable and defenseless in the face of escalating violence. He urged residents to work together in supporting lawful initiatives aimed at safeguarding lives and property.
According to him, communities should consider pooling resources and raising funds collectively to acquire legally approved weapons that can be used to protect their villages against attacks from armed criminals.
The monarch explained that the mere knowledge that a community possesses the capacity to defend itself could discourage bandits from launching attacks.
“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,” the Emir stated.
Alhaji Mera emphasized that the growing insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria requires citizens to be vigilant and prepared, noting that self-defence is both a legitimate and necessary response to criminal aggression when conducted within the framework of the law.
Drawing from religious teachings, the Emir argued that Islam does not encourage passivity in the face of violence and injustice. He stressed that individuals have a responsibility to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from those who seek to inflict harm.
“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,” he said.
The royal father lamented that many communities have become easy targets for bandits because they lack the means and structures necessary to mount effective resistance. He observed that fear often overwhelms residents whenever attacks occur, resulting in widespread panic and displacement.
“When bandits attack, people start running, including village heads. This is happening because communities do not have adequate means of self-defence,” he noted.
Despite his call for stronger community protection measures, the Emir was careful to clarify that he was not advocating vigilantism, lawlessness, or any form of armed rebellion. Rather, he said his position was rooted in the need for lawful self-defence in situations where security threats have become too widespread and overwhelming.
He acknowledged the efforts of security agencies but argued that the scale and frequency of attacks in some rural areas make it difficult for security personnel alone to provide adequate protection to every community.
According to the Emir, it is painful to watch innocent people lose their lives repeatedly without any form of resistance or protective mechanism in place. He therefore encouraged residents to adopt lawful strategies that would strengthen community resilience against criminal attacks.
At the same time, he strongly cautioned against ethnic violence, revenge attacks, and extrajudicial killings. He warned that no individual or group should use the security challenges facing communities as an excuse to target innocent people from other ethnic groups or engage in unlawful acts.
The Emir stated that he would never support any person carrying arms for the purpose of attacking innocent citizens or provoking ethnic conflict.
“I will not support anyone carrying weapons to attack another ethnic group or engage in unlawful killings,” he warned.
He further observed that many violent incidents often trigger cycles of retaliation that only worsen insecurity and deepen divisions among communities. For this reason, he urged residents to resist the temptation of taking revenge on innocent people for crimes committed by others.
According to him, every unlawful killing creates fresh grievances and lays the foundation for future reprisals, thereby perpetuating violence across affected areas.
The traditional ruler also spoke about the activities of the Lakurawa group, noting that although many members of the group had reportedly left the area, they were believed to have left behind armed criminal elements who continue to terrorize local communities.
He alleged that some of these bandits still maintain connections with former collaborators and continue to pose a significant threat to peace and stability within the region.
As a result, the Emir called on residents throughout the Argungu Emirate to remain vigilant, strengthen community cooperation, and promptly share intelligence with security agencies whenever suspicious activities are observed.
He stressed that collaboration between local communities and security agencies remains essential in combating banditry and other forms of criminality.
Concluding his remarks, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera urged residents to uphold moral values, maintain the fear of God in all their dealings, and remain united in the collective effort to restore peace and security across the emirate.
He expressed hope that through vigilance, lawful self-defence, community cooperation, and stronger collaboration with security agencies, the persistent menace of banditry could be significantly reduced and lasting peace restored to affected communities.
