The Plateau lawmaker noted in the event the government fails in its responsibility to protect its citizens, Section 33(2)(a) of the constitution makes self-defence lawful when undertaken in “defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property.”
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The Member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives, Rep. Dachung Musa Bagos, has expressed sadness over renewed killings on Saturday and Sunday in Mangu and Jos South Local Government of the state, where over 20 persons were killed by bandits.
This is as he called on villagers being attacked and killed daily by bandits to rise and defend themselves against the incessant attacks.
Bagos, who particularly lamented the recent murders in Mangu and Sunday in Farin Lamba Jos South, where about 19 persons were killed, in a Press statement issued in Jos on Monday, charged Nigerians to protect themselves based on the Nigeria Constitution, adding that every citizen has the right to self-defence and the right to exercise it.
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According to him, “Sadly, 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 person 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.”
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The second-term lawmaker also lamented that his people have been living in fear of getting attacked.
“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 that when the government fails 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,” Bagos asserted.
