Nigeria's Information Minister has criticised a call by the leaders of one of the country's states that people should take up arms to defend themselves against militants, criminals and kidnappers.
At the end of last month, the authorities in the north-eastern state of Zamfara told individuals to "obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits".
The state “government is ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers, to secure basic weapons for defending themselves", a statement said.
But the federal government disagrees.
"Asking individuals to arm themselves is a recipe for anarchy," Information Minister Lai Mohammed told BBC Focus on Africa radio.
The solution, he said, was for the governors to "support the federal government in the area of security".
President Muhammadu Buhari is now in the last year of his eight-year presidency and, with frequent reports of attacks and kidnappings, there is a feeling that he has not been able to contain the violence.
But Mr Mohammed said this was not the case.
"State security has improved since 2015," he told presenter Bola Mosuro.
And when challenged that many ordinary Nigerians do not feel safe, the Information Minster responded saying; "You do not make a judgement on a matter that you understand very little about."
Latest Stories
-
Akufo-Addo commissions Anwomaso 1 Thermal Power Plant in Kumasi
23 mins -
Change MASLOC into a digital lending platform – Citizens Movement against Corruption
2 hours -
Ghana’s Sports Minister proposes three interventions to combat climate change
4 hours -
Family of K.K Kabobo announces date for observance service
5 hours -
Unemployed Environmental Health graduates protest in Tamale
5 hours -
Dancer Championrolie named brand influencer for Tecno Camon30
6 hours -
Election 2024: National Peace Council cautions the clergy against spiteful comments
6 hours -
One person arrested in connection with robbery attack on UENR students
6 hours -
Basketmouth touts Dave Chappelle ‘comedy god’
6 hours -
It’s a shame ‘galamsey’ issues no longer make headlines – Sir Sam Jonah slams Ghanaian journalists
6 hours -
Stay original; don’t take anybody’s material – Basketmouth to comedians
6 hours -
I ignore a lot of things – Jacinta on how she deals with challenges
7 hours -
Full text: Sam Jonah’s speech at GJA 75th anniversary launch
7 hours -
Allow private sector participation in ECG, GRIDCo to make them viable – Otumfuo to government
7 hours -
Kejetia traders demand individual meters to end persistent power cuts
8 hours