Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said the Nigerian government remains determined to end killings across the country while affirming that citizens have the constitutional right to defend themselves against attackers.
Bwala made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while reacting to the recent killings and abductions in Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Gunmen had reportedly attacked the LA Primary School in the area on Friday, abducting teachers and pupils during the invasion.
Speaking on the incident, Bwala said insecurity remains a challenge faced globally, stressing that the government is working to end the violence through security efforts and public cooperation.
“Solution is what we all look to, evil men operate anywhere in the world, no matter how tight you are as a government,” he said.
“You do your best and expect that with the help of God and collective participation of the people through collective intelligence we will be able to put an end to it.”
Bwala acknowledged the frustrations and grief of Nigerians over repeated attacks and killings, saying the government understands the concerns of citizens.
“I know the Nigerian people will continue to complain. So because if for example, no matter how we say that we are sorry and the incident happened again people will complain, cry and mourn because it’s the life of the Nigerian people that are taken away by the evil element. We will put an end to this as a people,” he stated.
The presidential aide also alleged that insecurity often increases around election periods, linking it to what he described as a “crisis economy.”
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“Every eve of elections in Nigeria from 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026 you will see that crisis increases because of the idea of a crisis economy.
A lot of people take advantage of that but the will and spirit of the collective people is what will put an end to this situation,” he said.
On self-defence, Bwala maintained that Nigerians are constitutionally entitled to protect themselves when faced with threats to their lives.
“The constitution has guarantee to every citizen of Nigeria the right to self defense, you have the right to defend yourself,” he stated.
“If you come to my house to try to kill me, any lethal weapon I use to defend myself is guaranteed by the constitution.”
He further noted that communities could collaborate with government-approved security structures such as vigilante groups and paramilitary organisations to support intelligence gathering and local security efforts.
“Number two as a people we have vigilante and in Borno State we have paramilitary organizations that provide intelligence to law enforcement.
“Nigerians don’t have the right to bear certain arms unless those arms are permitted but the collective people can come together to apply to the government for the right to coordinate themselves,” Bwala added.