The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has stated that Nigerians are constitutionally empowered to defend themselves against attackers, including in situations involving lethal threats.
Bwala made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while reacting to recent violent incidents across the country.
The incidents include killings in the Esiele community in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the abduction of teachers and pupils of LA Primary School.
According to Bwala, the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to self-defence.
“The constitution has guaranteed to every citizen of Nigeria the right to self-defence; you have the right to defend yourself,” he said.
“When your right, my right, and that of my neighbour is put together, it becomes collective rights to defend ourselves and Nigerians have the right to defend themselves.”
He further stated that citizens are permitted to use necessary force when confronted with life-threatening attacks.
“If you come to my house to try to kill me, any lethal weapon I use to defend myself is guaranteed by the Constitution,” Bwala added.
The presidential aide, however, clarified that firearm ownership and the possession of certain weapons remain subject to legal regulations.
“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,” he said.
Speaking on the broader security situation, Bwala maintained that criminal activities remain a global challenge and stressed the importance of collective efforts in combating insecurity.
“Solution is what we all look to; evil men operate anywhere in the world, no matter how tight you are as a government,” he stated.
“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 public frustration over recurring attacks and sympathised with victims affected by insecurity.
“I know the Nigerian people will continue to complain. No matter how we say that we are sorry and the incident happens again, people will complain, cry and mourn because it’s the lives of the Nigerian people that are taken away by evil elements,” he said.
The presidential aide also linked rising insecurity to political cycles, claiming that crises tend to intensify during election periods.
“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,” Bwala said.
He further highlighted the contributions of local vigilante groups and paramilitary organisations in supporting intelligence gathering and law enforcement operations, particularly in Borno State.
