Kenneth Imansuangbon, a notable legal expert from Edo, has urged Nigerians to follow the counsel of retired General Theophilus Danjuma and take measures to protect themselves due to increasing insecurity and the government’s failure to ensure safety. Known as the “Rice Man,” Imansuangbon shared this message during a press conference marking his 59th birthday. He conveyed his disappointment with the country, stating that his birthday should have been a time for celebration but instead served as a time for serious contemplation. “At 59, I ought to be celebrating achievements rather than talking about the government’s shortcomings.” “Individuals are being murdered, abducted, and uprooted from their homes on a daily basis, but the authorities seem unable to intervene,” he stated. He condemned what he viewed as the inaction and quietness of both Federal and State governments regarding the issues of banditry, terrorism, and communal strife. “The Nigerian government has not fulfilled its fundamental duty to safeguard the lives and property of its citizens.” When the government remains quiet, the citizens should not remain quiet. “We need to protect ourselves,” he stated. Supporting General Danjuma’s appeal, Imansuangbon emphasized that Nigerians should start forming local security systems to safeguard their neighborhoods. “If we don’t take a stand to protect ourselves, who will?” The delay in action from Abuja is increasingly becoming a perilous situation. “We require vigilance groups, neighborhood watch teams, and robust community initiatives,” he remarked. He urged legislators and state governors to back community-based defense strategies that extend beyond mere paperwork to include sufficient funding. “This is not an appeal for chaos.” We are urging for immediate response. He stated that the Constitution does not advocate for passivity while criminals take control. Imansuangbon urged Nigerians: “Do not succumb to fear.”
