Governor Aminu Masari has called on Nigerians to learn self-defence from Americans because the Nigerian Army and the police cannot protect them against armed bandits.

“The security challenges we are facing in terms of killings and kidnappings are not only limited to Katsina or Nigeria, but they happen everywhere, even in America and China. But their citizens don’t fold their arms and wait for the government,” Mr Masari said.

The governor made this charge while speaking on Monday during the 2022 special prayer session in commemoration of ‘Yaumush Shukur’ (thanksgiving) day for Katsina.

Mr Masari, who had once charged Katsina residents to use their teeth in self-defence against armed bandits, added, “Don’t lock yourselves inside and say it is the responsibility of the government or police to defend you: how many people will the police defend? But if you defend yourself, it will reduce the work of policemen and soldiers.”

Mr Masari’s statement came weeks after Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara encouraged people in his state to buy guns to tackle bandits.

However, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, said Mr Matawalle and other governors lacked the powers to direct police commissioners to issue gun licences to residents as a measure against insecurity.

In July, bandits opened fire on Mr Buhari’s advance convoy in Katsina, and on the same day, Boko Haram terrorists raided Kuje Prisons and freed their members and other inmates.