Withdraw your money, buy weapons to protect yourselves – Zamfara lawmaker tells constituents
Lawmaker Advocates for Self-Defense Amid Rising Violence in Zamfara
Abdulmalik Zubairu, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Maru/Bungudu Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, has called on residents to withdraw their savings to purchase weapons for self-defense against increasing bandit attacks.
Zubairu made the comments during an interview with DCL Hausa on Sunday in response to the recent abduction of Bungudu Local Government Area Chairman Nura Abdullahi and the killing of four members of his security team in a bandit attack.
“I advise the people I represent to withdraw their money and buy guns for self-defense. Whatever they can afford, even if it is an AK-47 or any other weapon, they should contribute money, acquire those weapons if they know where to buy them, and protect their communities,” Zubairu stated.
The lawmaker acknowledged that his suggestion contradicts constitutional provisions but emphasized the dire circumstances faced by communities plagued by violence. “I know this is against the Constitution, but killing innocent people is also against the Constitution. If you are faced with two difficult situations that are both illegal, it is not bad if you choose one to save lives,” he said.
When questioned whether his remarks indicated a lack of confidence in the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, Zubairu asserted that both governments are making strides to address insecurity. However, he insisted that individuals should also take the initiative to safeguard themselves.
“They are doing their best. That is why it is important for ordinary people to also defend themselves and protect their communities,” he added.
Zubairu noted that the number of bandits is not larger than that of the communities they target, citing the disparity in weaponry as the primary factor that gives attackers an advantage. “The bandits are not more than the people. What gives them the upper hand is that they have better weapons. If the people also have weapons, they can defend themselves,” he said.
He further proposed that communities might collaborate with security authorities to register any weapons acquired for self-defense, stating, “The people can even go to the authorities and explain why they have the weapons. They can register them, stating that this weapon is in this person’s custody for the protection of this community.”
Zubairu’s statements followed a bandit attack on Chairman Nura Abdullahi’s residence early Saturday morning. In the incident, gunmen killed four members of Abdullahi’s security detail, consisting of two police officers and two local vigilantes, before abducting him, his wife, children, and other family members, who were taken into the forest.
