The Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, is currently receiving heat on social media for telling Nigerians not to be cowards and stand up against bandits.
Speaking at the National Assembly on Wednesday, February 17, Magashi while reacting to the abduction of staff and students of Government Science College in Niger state, said;
”Is it (security issue) the responsibility of the military alone? We shouldn’t be cowards. It is the responsibility of everybody to be alert and ensure safety when necessary. We shouldn’t be cowards. Sometimes bandits come with about three rounds of ammunition and when they fire shots everybody will run. In our younger days, we stand to fight any form of aggression.
Why should people run away from minor, minor aggressions?
We should stand and face them. If these people know that the people have the competence and capability to defend themselves, they will run away”
Nigerians are reacting in shock at his comments and are seriously tackling him online.
Lere Olayinka, a media aide to former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, asked the Minister when he will be distributing AK47 to Nigerians so they can use to defend themselves.
Others opined that a statement like this from a Defence Minister shows that Nigerians are ”on their own.”
See their comments below
