Community self-defence tactics worsening violence – Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army has raised alarm that the growing practice of communities taking up arms to defend themselves against rival groups is aggravating the unrest in Plateau State rather than resolving it.

Major General MA Etsy-Ndagi, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, made this known during a media interaction in Jos. He noted that the idea of allowing communities to secure themselves has not produced the intended outcome and has instead deepened the crisis.

Plateau State has grappled with recurring conflict since 2001, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

Despite calls from several groups urging that communities be empowered to defend themselves from persistent assaults, the army insists that such measures contribute to a destructive cycle.

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Etsy-Ndagi said the longstanding feud between farming and herding communities has evolved into repeated reprisals, with both sides trading blame and engaging in retaliation.

He stressed that security forces are committed to confiscating all forms of weapons, including locally made arms, found in the possession of civilians.

According to Major General Etsy-Ndagi, “To ensure the security of lives and property, we have to ensure everyone is disarmed and nobody fabricates weapons, so as to give way to peace.

“The situation involves farmers and herders accusing each other of attacks, with farmers alleging farm destruction and herders alleging cattle rustling. It’s a circle of violence. We don’t condone communities defending themselves, but we protect traumatized communities and give them support,” he added.

He urged residents across Plateau to embrace peaceful coexistence and work with security agencies to strengthen stability and development in their communities, emphasizing that nothing surpasses the value of peace.

Etsy-Ndagi reaffirmed the army’s determination to confront insecurity in all parts of the country.