Kebbi Emir Calls for Arms to Combat Bandit Attacks

On Friday, Samaila Muhammad Mera, the Emir of Argungu in Kebbi State, Nigeria, urged local residents to gather funds to purchase weapons for self-defense against increasing bandit attacks. The call comes in response to a rise in violence attributed to criminal gangs, including the notorious Lakurawa group, which has been involved in kidnappings and raids on villages.

Mera emphasized that the government has been overwhelmed and unable to provide adequate protection, prompting the need for communities to stockpile arms. He made this appeal during a meeting with traditional rulers, where he highlighted the cultural significance of the Argungu Festival, which has faced disruptions due to insecurity.

This is not the first instance of influential figures in northern Nigeria advocating for self-defense; similar calls were made by Aminu Bello Masari, the former governor of Katsina State, and Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, a traditional chief in Zamfara State, in previous years.