CALL ON UNARMED NIGERIANS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES: Magashi, Defence minister under fire On …YCE, Afenifere, Agbekoya blast him …Magashi said nothing wrong – Brig-Gen. Ikponmwen (retd) By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South; Dapo Akinrefon & Rotimi Ojomoyela MINISTER of Defence, General Bashir Magashi, faced barrage of criticisms, weekend, over his proclamation that weaponless Nigerians should defend themselves against bandits. Angry reactions have continued to trail the remarks credited to the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd) asking Nigerians to defend themselves whenever they were attacked by bandits and other criminal elements. The Minister of Defence, while reacting to the kidnap of students in Niger State had tasked Nigerians to defend themselves.