COAS reacts to call to allow Nigerians to carry arms to defend themselves 

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, says allowing Nigerians to carry arms in self-defence against bandits, gunmen, and rampaging k#ller herdsmen will lead to anarchy.

Mr Lagbaja said this while speaking on Christmas Eve killings across villages in Plateau State that left over 162 dead and scores inj¥red.

Asked whether he supports Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s call for locals to defend themselves against rampaging bandits, Mr Lagbaja said such would result in anarchy.

“I do not support that. I think that is a call for anarchy. The Nigerian army is the people’s army. It is organised. Funded with the people’s money to protect lives and property. When you have a situation where people freely carry and use arms, then it becomes a lawless state,” Mr Lagbaja said.

He urged the state’s residents to provide the military with adequate information about incidents.