Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi has urged Nigerians not to be cowards and stop running away from bandits who attempt to kidnap them while carrying three rounds of ammunition.
Magashi gave the charge on Wednesday at the sideline of the screening of the Service Chiefs nominees by the House of Representatives’ Special Committee, in response to a question on the students who were kidnapped in the early hours of Wednesday in Niger State, by armed banditry dressed in military uniform.
Magashi said: “We have demonstrated our ability to take on the challenge. We have done it in Katsina; when children were kidnapped, within two days, we got them back.”
“Hopefully, this time, we will do the same (thing) to get these captives back. We are planning. Only this confirmation, that we have not got feedback on the activities going on in Niger State.”
“But I am sure that before the end of the day, we will be given a full brief on what is going on in Niger State,” he assured.
He also tasked the citizens to stand and face the bandits rather than run away when bandits shoot to the air during their operations.
He said: “Well, is it the responsibility of the Military alone? It is the responsibility of everybody to keep alert and find safety when necessary.”
“We shouldn’t be cowards. Sometimes the bandits only come with about three rounds of ammunition and when they fire shots everybody will rush. In our younger days, we stand to fight any aggression coming to us.”
“I don’t know why people are running away from minor things like that? We should stand and face them. Let these people know that even the villagers have the competence and capability to defend themselves, but our own duty is to ensure no Nigerian is hurt, or we are capable of protecting the integrity of this nation and we will continue to do it even though we are so stressed” he concluded.
