Presidential aide Daniel Bwala says nationwide violence will be curbed through security efforts, community intelligence, and citizens’ constitutional right to protect themselves.

The Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to halt the wave of killings across Nigeria, with President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, expressing confidence that the crisis will be brought under control.

Bwala spoke on Wednesday while reacting to the abduction of teachers and pupils during an attack on LA Primary School in Esiele community, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity.

Acknowledging the grief and anger that typically follow such attacks, Bwala said the government remains committed to ending the violence through sustained security operations, public cooperation, and what he described as divine support.

“Evil exists everywhere in the world, regardless of how strong a government may be,” he said. “But with our best efforts, the help of God, and collective intelligence from citizens, we will bring this to an end.”

He noted that Nigerians would naturally mourn and demand accountability whenever lives are lost, but insisted that the country’s collective resolve would ultimately defeat criminal elements.

The presidential aide also linked recurring spikes in violence to election cycles, describing it as part of a “crisis economy” exploited by certain actors. According to him, similar patterns were observed in the periods leading up to the 2015, 2019, 2023, and now 2027 elections.

On the issue of self-defence, Bwala emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to protect themselves and their families. He said this right, when exercised collectively, reinforces broader community safety.

“If someone attacks you in your home, you have the constitutional right to defend yourself,” he said, adding that such individual rights collectively form a broader framework for community protection.

He further highlighted the importance of grassroots security efforts, pointing to the role of vigilante groups and paramilitary organisations, particularly in states like Borno, where local intelligence has supported formal security operations.

While acknowledging legal limits on the possession of certain weapons, Bwala suggested that communities could work with government authorities to establish coordinated self-defence mechanisms within the bounds of the law.