Rwang Tengwong, a resident of Kum and spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders Association, has questioned the practicality of asking rural communities to defend themselves against heavily armed attackers following the killing of nine members of a family in Plateau State.
Tengwong made the remarks in an interview with PUNCH published on Sunday, July 26, 2026, while discussing the recent attacks on communities in Plateau State and the broader security challenges facing residents.
According to him, the attacks occurred in the Kum and Wereng-Camp communities, where armed assailants reportedly killed several people, including nine members of a single family.
Reacting to the incident, Tengwong argued that residents are often left vulnerable because they face attackers equipped with sophisticated firearms while having little or no means of defending themselves.
He questioned the expectation that civilians should rely on basic weapons when confronting heavily armed gunmen.
“You don’t expect me to say that I’m defending myself with a machete against someone who has an AK-47,” Tengwong said.
He added that discussions about the constitutional right to self-defence should take into account the realities faced by communities under attack.
According to Tengwong, the debate should consider the significant disparity between the weapons available to criminals and the limited means of protection accessible to ordinary citizens.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s firearms licensing regulations, noting that citizens who wish to legally possess firearms for self-defence must first obtain government approval.
According to him, obtaining such licences is not always straightforward, leaving many residents without adequate means to protect themselves during attacks.
Tengwong argued that this reality raises important questions about how communities are expected to exercise their right to self-defence when confronted by attackers carrying military-grade weapons.
In his words:
“You don’t expect me to say that I’m defending myself with a machete against someone who has an AK-47. So, when we talk about self-defence in the Nigerian Constitution, those are the questions we should ask in our arguments.”
His comments came in the aftermath of renewed violence in Plateau State, where several communities have experienced deadly attacks in recent months, resulting in loss of lives, displacement of residents and destruction of property.
The killings have renewed calls for stronger security measures and more effective protection for vulnerable communities across the state.
Tengwong’s remarks reflect growing concerns among residents about the challenges of protecting themselves in areas affected by recurring violence.
His comments also contribute to the broader national debate over community security, the constitutional right to self-defence, and the role of government in safeguarding lives and property.
Authorities have continued to urge members of the public to report security threats to law enforcement agencies, while security forces have maintained operations aimed at tackling armed groups responsible for attacks in Plateau State and other parts of the country.
