SELF DEFENSE IN AN UNSECURED ENVIRONMENT

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In June 2022 Lt . General Theophilus Danjuma , a former Minister of defence said at the convocation ceremony of Taraba state University that Nigerians should defend themselves against killers , he added that armed forces were not ready to defend them for reason unknown . He said current insecurity bedeviling the nation is capable of ravaging the larger population If going unchecked. Going by the situation/ activities of Boko Haram , Bandits. I think the message is very clear .

WHAT IS SELF DEFENSE?

This can be defined as a counter measure that involves defending the health and wellbeing of oneself from harm , shock or attack that can lead to permanent injury or sudden death. The use of the right of self defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is permissible.

TYPES OF SELF DEFENSE

A) Physical- This is use of physical force / strength to counter an immediate threat of violence. It could be armed or unarmed. It all depends on various parameters as related to severity of the threat presented.

  • Unarmed; This may include self defense techniques, one may acquire it through combat Sports, some martial arts train on how to escape from knife , gun situation or how to break away from a punch..
    B) Armed ; variety of weapons can be deployed for use in a defensive capacity. It all depends on the kind of threat presented to the survivors and the experience of such person.for instance, licenced armed carrier may open gun shot on attackers .
    C) Objects like pepper spray, tasers , flashlights, basket bats , kitchen utensils can serve as improvised weapons for self defense.
    D)Verbal self defense; This is using words to prevent ,de- escalate or end an attempted assault. E.g if a sexual assault is to be unleashed, one may raise voice , alarm, by calling for help of nearby people. One may say ” I will report you to police” the would be perpetrator may likely back out from the act.
    E) Women self defense- study has shown that victims of sexual violence, 80% of juvenile survivors were female, women from age 17 to 34 are highly at the risk to experience sexual assault. According to Wendy Rinse in her own wisdom established Women’s self defense Movement ( WSDM). It organised a training in UK educating the women’s Rights and sufferage movement.
    They raise awareness about sexual harrassment and violence that women faced on the street,at work and homesteads. They challenged the motion that men are protector while they are equally the perpetrators of this crime. Afterwards, women discovered sense of physical and personal empowerment through training in boxing and Jin- jitsu ( training that is similar to unarmed defense) just like traditional fighting like karate, Kung Fu, kick boxing, Taekwondo, wrestling etc.

PURPOSE OF SELF DEFENSE

Regardless of whether you carry a handgun or some other self defense objects the purpose of self defense is to survive and escape an attacks from aggressor without injury by stopping the attacker’s behaviour. The mindset is not to win a fight or harm another person. The best defense is to avoid dangerous people and places.
Things to consider in one’s environment:
1) To pay attention to your Physical surrounding, make
sure your area of visit is free of any known crises.
2) Pay attention to people around you – check the status of the people loitering around you , listening to their conversation whether conversation sound threatening in nature not only by words but the tone of voice of the speaker.

  • Exchange or confide in a friend or family member address of your host .
  • Be safety conscious at all times and trust your instincts.

Steps to be taken when in distress

  • Take a walk from unsafe environment to avoid attack or injury
  • Dispute resolution method by bargaining
    -.Call emergency services number
    At this junction, I wish to add that , we should all be conscious of our Rights and safety in area of sexual abuse. As part of our orientation. Sexual abuse is rampant in our society today and it’s highly repugnant by the law of every state in Nigeria. Statistics has shown that 6 out of 10 girls were abused daily and most cases are underreported
    In view of this, we should be familiar with the following tips;

We should avoid soliciting for undue gifts from opposite sex .

We should avoid walking in isolated area / awkward hours.

Report any forms of molestation to appropriate authority.

Finally, abuse includes Sexual, physical, neglect, trafficking in persons, emotional etc.

Awofeso Rasheed Ololade
Children and Community Protection network, Lagos. 08171623945

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