A Member of the House of Representatives representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Dachung Bagos, has charged citizens of the state to defend against incessant attacks from rampaging bandits in the state.
Bagos, who was reacting to last weekend’s killings, in Mangu and Jos South Local Government Areas of the state, where over 20 persons were killed by bandits, said citizens have the right to self-defence.
The lawmaker, in a statement, on Monday, condemned the incessant killings of defenceless Plateau citizens by bandits, saying the people must unite to defend their communities in line with the extant provisions of the consideration.
According to him, “innocent Citizens are being attacked and killed on the daily bases in Plateau State particularly in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu, hundreds have lost their lives since May 2023, and villagers can’t go to the farm, several displaced people camps, land taken over, farmlands destroyed, what a wicked world.
“Just on Saturday 12 persons were killed in Mangu and also yesterday night seven of my Constituents who are miners were targeted and gunned down, this sad, barbaric and condemned.
“Amongst those killed, yesterday night include; 1. Ishaya David 25 from, Tana,2. Paul Adamu Dangyuruk 23, 3. Bitrus mancha Dantou, 4. Davou Boyi 40 from Dawurum, 5. Joseph John 39 from Dawurum, 6. Timothy Peter 35 from Dawurum. All in Turu, Jos South LGC of the State.”
Bagos added “Most of my Constituents now live in fear of bandits, and the attacks are now daily. In the face of this kind of breakdown in the will and capacity of the government to protect the people and their communities, law-abiding citizens must organize to protect themselves.
“The point here is when the government failed in its constitutional role to protect its people, citizens have a legitimate duty in law and morality to ensure the continuity of human life.
“Self-defence is indeed a constitutional right. Under section 14(2)(b) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.’ Accordingly, section 17(2)(b) of the same constitution requires that ‘the sanctity of the human person shall be recognized,’ and to reinforce this, section 33(2)(a) makes self-defence lawful when undertaken in ‘defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.’
“I want to call on all Plateau Citizens to be alert and defend themselves against attackers, and all Plateau State Citizens must unite to defend the land, we are peaceful people, but our inheritance which is our land will never be taken by force.”
