General T.Y Danjuma (rtd) on Saturday again called on Nigerians to protect themselves against terrorists and bandits.

Recalls that the former Minister of Defence made a similar call in 2018, a comment which pitched him against the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, calling on Nigerians to take up arms to protect themselves.

Danjuma in his goodwill message at the presentation of staff of office to 25 Aku-Uka of Wukari in Taraba State, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali, on Saturday, alleged that the Armed Forces were either unwilling to defend the country or that Nigeria is under siege.

He said it is sad that Nigeria, the biggest black country in the world, is under siege by terrorists who are trying to root out the citizens.

“As a soldier, the best defence is attack. Right now, we are all sitting ducks. These people are armed to the teeth with weapons of mass destruction but we don’t have them. We have the numbers and the land belongs to us. They are trying to colonise us and take over our lands. Your majesty, you must unite our people to defend themselves,’’ Danjuma said.

“My appeal to you the new Aku Uka is for you to unite us to be able to effectively defend ourselves against the enemies of the country.

“In 2017 when I called on the people to defend themselves, a kangaroo commission of enquiry was set up to investigate and they said I was lying because there was no evidence.

“Today in the country, there is evidence everywhere; the foreign bandits are killing and taking over lands in all the places.

“I will not give you arms, you have to find out how the bandits got and find yours too,” he said.

“I will not give you arms. Find out how the people who have it got it and use the same means to acquire arms and defend yourselves. This beautiful land called Nigeria is being brought to ruin by absolutely useless criminals. How do they get here? We know some of them may even be here. My prayer is that God Almighty that has given us this land will give us the courage to face these enemies and chase them out. This we must do, otherwise, Nigeria is finished.

“We must find out the source of the arms of terrorists; Nigerians should equally find a means of arming themselves to face the terrorists,” he said.

Danjuma said when he accused the military of colluding with terrorists, he was called a liar, but now, Nigerians had realised the truth.

He said after his statement in 2018, a “Kangaroo panel” was set up by the military and he was invited to defend what he said but he refused to appear before the panel.

While congratulating the new Aku-Uka for ascending the throne of his forefathers, Danjuma advised him to unite the Jukun people.