What country would survive if its citizens rise against the military - Presidency queries TY Danjuma's call to self-defence

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- The Presidency has again reacted to the former minister of defence, Theophilu Danjuma's call to self-defence

- Garba Shehu said Danjuma's advise to Taraba citizens on self-defence is shocking and scary

- According to Shehu, no country can survive if her people rise against the military

Nigeria's Presidency has described the call to self-defence made by a former chief of army staff, Theophilus Danjuma as shocking and scary.

The Presidency said the pronouncement made by the retired military general is capable of encouraging criminal gangs to defy legal governing and democratic institutions by taking law into their own hands.

In a statement released on Saturday, March 31, the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, called on prominent Nigerians to use their national influence to shun declarations capable of threatening Nigeria's security.

Shehu urged former leaders to make good use of different fora as an opportunity to advise the government on ways to curb Nigeria's security issues.

He said no country will survive if the people rise against its military as declared by Danjuma.

Shehu said: The Presidency wishes to appeal to prominent Nigerians, who have national influence, to use their influence wisely and not continue to engage in public declarations that are likely to inflame emotional passions and threaten National Security.

“The Presidency is very worried that criminal gangs will feel justified in defying legal governing and democratic institutions, and authority of legitimately elected democratic government if unrestrained pronouncements are made.

“Silence can be dignified, but sometimes it can be misinterpreted and exploited. It is both shocking and scary to hear the recent comments by a senior citizen calling for Nigerians to defend themselves," Shehu said.

The presidential media aide said the Presidency also commends the efforts of the Nigerian military in maintaining peace and stability in Nigeria.

He said despite being pulled in various directions by elements determined to destabilise the country and government for their selfish reasons, the military has remained patriotic in carrying out its duty.

“What country would survive if its citizens rise against the country’s organised, trained and equipped military?

“We advise former leaders to take advantage of the various fora where people with a history of national security can offer advice to the government without resorting to the exploitation of emotional sentiments.

“The civil war motto: ‘To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done’ rings very timely at this time in our nation’s history. We must be careful to avoid the mess that destroyed other African countries like Somalia," the statement said.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that a senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, had backed the call to self-defence made by Danjuma.

Falana while speaking in a training organised for reporters said the right to protect one’s self from violent attack was recognised by the Constitution.

He also said that Danjuma could sue critics of his statement for libel, as he noted that the media has been awash with suggestions that the former minister’s comments are call to anarchy.

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