The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, has called on Nigerians to take charge of their own security, emphasizing that the military, police, and intelligence agencies lack the capacity to protect every community from terrorist attacks nationwide.
Speaking during a public forum broadcast by Symfoni, Mr. Ajayi highlighted the importance of community-led defence efforts in combating insecurity. He cited past incidents in Bauchi State where local communities successfully repelled Boko Haram insurgents without waiting for security forces.
“Speaking seriously about the practical approach of mobilising to curb insecurity, I will share my experience with you when I was State Director in Bauchi,” he stated.
Recalling an attack in Azare, he narrated how residents fought back against Boko Haram militants who attempted to kidnap a community member. Despite casualties, the people stood their ground and eliminated the attackers. “Since that day, there has been no terrorist attack in Azare,” he added.
Mr. Ajayi also referenced former military leader General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), who had praised the Azare model of resistance.
He further cited Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area (LGA) as another example where residents successfully defended themselves. “They knew their terrain well, climbed trees and mountains, and when the invaders came, they repelled them and seized their weapons. Since then, attacks in Tafawa Balewa have been rare,” he explained.
Emphasizing the necessity of community involvement in security, the DSS chief concluded, “You cannot expect the Nigerian Army, police, or DSS to protect every citizen in every community. It is simply not possible to deploy.”
His comments have sparked discussions nationwide, with some supporting the call for community resilience while others express concerns about the risks of civilian-led defence efforts in the absence of formal security backing.
