The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Otumba Gani Adams, has backed the Zamafara State governor, Bello Matawalle, on his recent move to arm the residents against insurgents.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo-in-Council, through a statement by the Gbonka Aare-Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gboyega Adejumo, enjoined Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) in the South West to take a cue from Zamfara State.
“Zamfara State governor has literally opened the eyes of other governors across the country. Taking up arms in self-defence is a global practice that should be encouraged, once it is backed by the law for it to serve its purposes. There’s nothing bad if citizens take up arms to defend themselves. That is the normal practice all over the world. We have been raising our voices on the need for Nigerians to secure themselves with whatever they have.
“What happened in Owo (killing of worshippers inside St Francis Catholic Church in Ondo State) was a bad signal. If the worshippers were allowed to bear arms while observing their services, what do you think would happen to the attackers? They wouldn’t try such massacre. Bandits are usually on rampage because they believe their victims are armless and powerless. But once they know that the people might take up arms against them, they will surely think twice before attacking.”