The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said Nigerians have a constitutional right to defend themselves against attackers, including in situations involving threats to life.

Bwala stated this during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while reacting to recent violent attacks in parts of the country.

The presidential aide referred to incidents in the Esiele community in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the abduction of teachers and pupils of LA Primary School.

According to him, the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to self-defence.

“The constitution has guaranteed to every citizen of Nigeria the right to self-defence; you have the right to defend yourself,” Bwala said.

“When you're right, my right, and that of my neighbour is put together, it becomes collective rights to defend ourselves, and Nigerians have the right to defend themselves.

“If you come to my house to try to kill me, any lethal weapon I use to defend myself is guaranteed by the Constitution,” he added.

Bwala, however, clarified that possession of firearms remains regulated by law.

“Nigerians don’t have the right to bear certain arms unless those arms are permitted, but the collective people can come together to apply to the government for the right to coordinate themselves,” he stated.

Speaking on insecurity in the country, Bwala said criminal activities occur globally and require collective action to tackle effectively.

“Solution is what we all look to; evil men operate anywhere in the world, no matter how tight you are as a government.

“You do your best and expect that with the help of God and collective participation of the people through collective intelligence, we will be able to put an end to it,” he said.

The presidential aide acknowledged growing public frustration over repeated attacks across the country.

“I know the Nigerian people will continue to complain. For example, no matter how we say that we are sorry and the incident happens again, people will complain, cry, and mourn because it’s the lives of the Nigerian people that are taken away by the evil element. We will put an end to this as a people,” he said.

Bwala also linked rising insecurity to election periods, arguing that violence often increases during political cycles.

“Every eve of elections in Nigeria from 2014, 2018, 2022, and now 2026, you will see that crisis increases because of the idea of a crisis economy. A lot of people take advantage of that, but the will and spirit of the collective people is what will put an end to this situation,” he stated.

He further highlighted the role of local vigilance groups and paramilitary organisations in supporting security operations through intelligence gathering.