Emir Of Kano Urges Nigerians To Pick Up Arms, Defend Against Boko Haram

Muhammad Sanusi, The Emir of Kano, has called on Nigerians to prepare to defend themselves from Boko Haram terrorists according to BBC News.

"People should not sit idle and say prayer is the only solution. People should be made aware of the importance of being in a state of preparedness and make sure they acquire what they need to protect themselves. We should be ready to give our lives."-Sanusi said at a prayer meeting.

The statements come after a suicide bomber detonated explosives and killing several civilians at a petrol station in Kano last Friday.

Despite having deployed soldiers to Nigeria’s northeastern region, where Boko Haram has declared a caliphate, government security forces have been unable to secure communities from the Boko Haram threat.

Responding to the Emir’s call for communities to defend themselves from Boko Haram insurgents, the nation’s police force is counter-advising civilians to refrain from picking up arms.

"Any call for citizens to arm themselves is a call for anarchy and lawlessness. And this is not allowed under our laws. Such a call should be disregarded. The police [force] is living up to its duty to protect lives and property."  said police spokesperson, Emmanuel Ojukwu.