The Defence Minister of Nigeria, Bashir Salihi Magashi, has berated the cowardice of some Nigerians nowadays that easily surrendered to the slightest pressure of poorly armed bandits. The retired general from Sokoto urged Nigerians to be stronghearted, courageous and fearless whenever confronted with such banditry challenges. He told the journalists that during his youthful time they used to repel such attacks fearlessly.
He made this statements hours after few people wearing army camouflage, believed to be bandits, at the early hour of 17th February 2021 attacked Government Science Secondary School, Kagara, Niger State, where they allegedly killed at least one person and kidnapped not less than 27 promising students, hoodwinked to believe that the so-called soldiers came for their rescue. The abducted students were taken to an unknown destination.
According to Magashi, “Is it the responsibility of the military alone? It is the responsibility of everybody to keep alert and to find safety when necessary. But we shouldn’t be cowards,” the minister told reporters.
“At times, the bandits will only come with about three rounds of ammunition. When they fire shots, everybody runs. In our younger days, we stand to fight any aggression coming for us.
“I don’t know why people are running from minor things like that. They should stand and let these people know that even the villagers have the competency and capability to defend themselves.”
There is no doubt that the growing act of banditry has such momentum that if care is not taken may be out of control. The intelligence agencies of Nigeria should, as a matter of urgency, profile the bandits and their locations, so that the military will encircle and crush them – ENCIRCLEMENT STRATEGY.