The Emir of Argungu in Kebbi State, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera, has called on residents to pool resources and acquire weapons to defend their communities against escalating attacks by bandits and jihadist groups in parts of northwestern Nigeria.
Speaking during a meeting with local chiefs, the traditional ruler expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the region, stating that government security agencies appear overwhelmed by the scale of the threat. He urged communities to take proactive measures to safeguard their lives and property.
According to a video of the meeting seen by AFP, Mera advised community leaders to organize and purchase arms for self-defence, stressing that residents must be prepared to protect their homes from criminal attacks, even at great personal risk.
Kebbi State has witnessed sporadic violence linked to armed bandit groups and the Lakurawa jihadist faction, whose activities have contributed to worsening insecurity across the region. Bandits are known for kidnapping travellers, raiding villages, abducting residents, looting homes, and setting communities ablaze.
The Emir’s remarks come amid growing frustration among rural communities affected by persistent attacks. In several northern states, residents have formed vigilante groups to counter banditry, although some of these groups have faced allegations of extrajudicial killings, prompting state governments to replace them with officially recognized community protection personnel.
Mera’s call echoes similar appeals made by influential northern leaders in recent years. Former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari had in 2021 urged residents in vulnerable communities to acquire weapons for self-defence, while the Emir of Zamfara, Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, previously advocated for citizens to be allowed to bear arms to protect themselves against bandit attacks.
The Argungu Emir remains one of Kebbi State’s most prominent traditional rulers, renowned for overseeing the internationally recognized Argungu Fishing Festival, a UNESCO-listed cultural event that has long attracted visitors from across the world.
