Member Representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State in Nigeria’s House of the Representatives, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, has expressed sadness over the renewed killings in Mangu and Jos South Local Government of the state where over 20 persons were killed by bandits.
The Lawmaker who has been a Vanguard for Peace called on innocent Nigerians Citizens and particularly Plateau Villagers being attacked and killed by the bandits to rise and defend themselves against incessant attacks.
In a Press statement, the lawmaker urged Nigerians to protect themselves based on the Nigeria Constitution, saying every citizen had the right to self-defense and the right to exercise it.
“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 in displaced person camps, land taken over, farmlands destroyed. 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 is sad, barbaric and condemned,” Bagos said.
He said amongst those killed, yesterday night include: Ishaya David 25 from Tana; Paul Adamu Dangyuruk 23; Bitrus Mancha Dantou; Davou Boyi 40 from Dawurum; Joseph John 39 from Dawurum; Timothy Peter 35 from Dawurum; All in Turu, Jos South local government of the State
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“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 when the government failed 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-defense lawful when undertaken in “defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property,” he stressed.
He called on all Plateau Citizens to be alert and defend themselves against attackers.
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