Former Chief of Army Staff, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, on Saturday said that bandits are making efforts to recolonise and take over Nigeria.
Noting that the terrorists are armed to the teeth, Danjuma called on Nigerians to find out how the insurgents got armed and do the same in order to defend themselves.
He stated this when he delivered a goodwill message in Wukari, Taraba State, where Governor Darius Ishaku presented staff of office to His Majesty, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali, the 25th Aku Uka.
According to the octogenarian, Nigeria is being brought to ruin by heavily armed “useless” criminals, and if the people fail to resort to self-defence, Nigeria will be finished..
He took a swipe at the military, accusing it of living in denial over Nigeria’s aggravating security issues.
He added that the “evidence” of what he said four years ago is now obvious for all eyes to see.
Recall that Danjuma, in 1018, had urged Nigerians to defend themselves against their killers. He was then condemned by the government and some Nigerians.
Speaking four year later, he said, “Our country is under siege by armed bandits all over the country. When some few years ago, I warned that the Armed Forces are either not capable or unwilling to protect us and that we must defend ourselves.
“The first denial of what I said came from the Ministry of Defence they said I was lying and they set up a kangaroo Board of Inquiry to investigate the truth or otherwise of what I said and they invited me to come and testify, I did not go.
“They wrote their report which said that I was only speculating, that there was no evidence. And now there is evidence; the whole country now is being run and overrun.”
Continuing he said, “Right now, we are all sitting ducks, these people are armed to the teeth with all weapons of mass destruction and we don’t have them but we have the numbers and the land belongs to us. They are trying to recolonise us and take over our land. Can I allow you to defend yourselves?” he asked the crowd who chanted a loud ‘Yes’.
“They said I told them to defend themselves, I didn’t give them arms. I will not give you arms, find out how these people got it. Use the same means to defend yourselves.
“This beautiful land called Nigeria, the biggest country for black men in the whole world is being brought to ruin by absolutely useless criminals. But how did they get here? Of course, some of them are foreigners and there are collaborators.
“So, my prayer is that God Almighty that has given us this land will give us the courage to face our enemy and locate where he is and drive him out of the country. This we must do otherwise Nigeria is finished.”
Some governors including Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Samuel Ortom (Benue), have been calling for self-defence to curtain the excesses of the terrorsts.