As the death toll in the attacks by suspected herdsmen on the people of Benue State hit 56 yesterday, a former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) has restated his call on the people of Taraba State and other Nigerians in general to defend themselves against the invaders, who are killing people in various communities across the country.
Danjuma spoke in Takum during an occasion he organised to appreciate his members of staff working within the area against the backdrop of renewed and intensified killings in communities in Plateau, Benue, Ondo and several other states across the country.
Meanwhile, tension has gripped the residents of Kaiama and Baruten LGAs of Kwara State as the new terrorist group identified as “Mahmuda”, has resumed operations in the area, kidnapping and killing residents.
This is the third time Danjuma, who is also a former Chief of Army Staff, is calling on Nigerians, particularly his people of Taraba State, to defend themselves against killings, which he described as genocide.
Addressing a large audience, including the Taraba State governor, Dr Agbu Kefas and other top government functionaries, who gathered to welcome him to Takum, Danjuma noted that the circumstances that made him to call for self-defence in the past has not abated but rather has intensified.
“I once asked you to rise and defend yourselves. I am still repeating it today with more seriousness; rise and defend yourselves. The killers have obtained sophisticated arms; we don’t know where they got the arms. But you people should also seek to get it wherever they get the arms; you must defend yourselves against the killers.
“You should know that they are well armed to kill you and take over your land. Be ready for them as they are also humans like you,” he explained.
Danjuma added that unless the people are prepared to defend themselves against the killers, nobody is ready to save their lives.
Also speaking at the occasion, Governor Kefas eulogised Danjuma for his developmental strides in Taraba State and prayed God to continue to bless him with sound health.
Kefas noted that the state has benefitted immensely from Danjuma’s philanthropic gestures, particularly in the areas of health care services, roads infrastructure and economic empowerment and holistic development of the state.
