Urging Nigerians to defend themselves against insecurity in the country, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has called on the Federal Government to liberalise access to basic self-defence weapons for citizens.

Besides, it accused the Nasarawa State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Hassan Abdullahi, of alleged intimidation and harassment.

In a statement issued yesterday by its spokesman, Luka Binniyat, MBF said citizens facing persistent attacks should be allowed lawful and affordable access to simple defensive tools under a regulated system.

The group’s position came amid allegations that DSS operatives in Nasarawa State are targeting a House of Representatives aspirant, Terry Tsala, over what it described as a harmless effort to protect himself.

The statement said Tsala, who is contesting to represent the Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency, was allegedly arrested on the orders of Abdullahi, and accused of attempting to procure five hunting rifles — an allegation he has firmly denied.

According to the MBF, the politician had only sought to acquire a locally made hunting gun from a licensed manufacturer, a practice it said is common among residents of insecure communities in the Middle Belt.

Despite his denial, the forum claimed Tsala has been repeatedly summoned to the DSS office in Lafia and pressured to admit to the claim.

The group argued that hunting guns are not illegal when properly obtained, citing Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and allows citizens to take reasonable steps to defend themselves.

ALSO, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has reiterated that the nature and complexity of the security challenges facing the country require localised, intelligence-driven responses that only state policing can effectively provide.

Chairman of the Forum and Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, stated this during their meeting yesterday in Abuja.

He recalled that when they met last December, they were confronted with a deeply troubling security situation that demanded urgent, coordinated and decisive action.

Yahaya said that through collective efforts and support of the Federal Government, the security situation across parts of Northern Nigeria has shown measurable improvement.

However, he stressed that there is absolutely no room for complacency, saying they must sustain and intensify their collective efforts to consolidate on the gains by neutralising emerging threats, and ensuring that peace and security take firm and lasting roots across the region.

Yahaya maintained that the safety of their people remained the foundation upon which all development rests.