The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, said residents should "acquire what they need" to protect themselves.

The BBC's Will Ross, in Nigeria, says such an intervention is very unusual.

A police spokesman said the Emir's comments were a "call for anarchy" and should not be acted on.

The emir, who until earlier this year was governor of Nigeria's central bank, normally stays silent on political matters.

He made the comments at a prayer meeting, following several further attacks in recent days blamed on Boko Haram.

Jihadists from the group continue to cause havoc in parts of north-east Nigeria, capturing towns and villages where they have been imposing their own strict interpretation of Islamic law.

Primary schools in one of the worst-affected areas have begun reopening after being closed for the past eight months.

Boko Haram, which means "Western education is forbidden", often attacks educational establishments.

Some of the schools are to be protected by self-defence groups.
Deserting soldiers
Policeman at the scene of a suicide bomb attack in Kano A suicide bomb attack near a petrol station in Kano killed several people on Friday

The emir, who strongly criticised the government when he was a banker, said people should not be afraid of the militants and should prepare to defend themselves.

"These terrorists slaughter our boys and abduct our girls to force them into slavery," he said.

"People should not sit idle and say prayer is the only solution. People should be made aware of the importance of being in a state of preparedness and make sure they acquire what they need to protect themselves. We should be ready to give our lives."

The emir said residents should not wait for help from the military. There have been numerous reports of soldiers deserting, saying they are not as well equipped as the militants.

Police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said: "Any call for citizens to arm themselves is a call for anarchy and lawlessness. And this is not allowed under our laws. Such a call should be disregarded. The police [force] is living up to its duty to protect lives and property."
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Analysis: Will Ross, BBC News, Lagos
Lamido Sanusi, in 2010 before he came Emir of Kano

Civilians have already played a key role in fighting the insurgency by forming local vigilante groups (known as civilian joint task forces) and this is now a wider call for everyone to stand up and be counted.

The emir may not have mentioned the group known as Boko Haram by name but this was a strong condemnation of the insurgents. It is highly unusual for the emir of Kano to be so outspoken on this issue.

Muhammad Sanusi was a persistent critic of the government when he was central bank governor and some of his detractors may criticise him for speaking out now but there is no denying that the situation in north-east Nigeria is deteriorating.

The emir's strong message contrasts sharply with the government, which has stayed almost silent on the conflict except for the oft-repeated promise that the insurgents will be defeated.
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Over the weekend a local vigilante group helped the military recapture the town of Chibok which Boko Haram had seized 48 hours earlier.

Boko Haram fighters kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from the town in April, sparking global outrage.
Schools reopening

Boko Haram, which says it is fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, has repeatedly targeted villages in Borno state in recent months.

There are reports of many Boko Haram members being killed in Sunday's raid.

Schools in Borno state were shut down eights months ago because of security concerns after attacks by the militant group.
Displaced people at a school in Maiduguri Some secondary schools in Borno have become temporary refuges for those who have fled their homes

State officials said 450 primary schools were expected to reopen on Monday in a staged process intended to lead to the reopening of almost 1,400 schools in the state.

The BBC has confirmed that some primary schools in the state capital, Maiduguri, have already reopened.

The chairman of a state committee on education, Mohammed Dongel, said fencing had been erected around schools and security guards were ensuring "24-hour surveillance".

Secondary schools in Borno are due to remain closed until internally displaced people sheltering in them can be moved to alternative accommodation.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30080514

Thank u jare My powerful emir... Make i run go get one small heavy metal sharp-sharp.

May God bless u emir, but as 4 emmanuel ojukwu May God punish u ov Saying that rubbish. We definitely no that igbo people ar very hapi wit what is happening wit northaners, but by the grace ov God all dis fins will come 2 an end. May God bless Nigeria:p

Sanusi is running scared!
When he was CBN governor he was funding boko haram.
The Oyinbo man davies exposed his yash.
Ever since he was removed from CBN,
he can no longer give boko haram rogues billions of naira again.
and the boys are angry with him.


Sanusi can run but he cannot hide from (his former boys) boko haram.

Runs off to Israel Weapons Industries to get me an Uzi SMG

No! what a baseless assertion. The emir is waking up too late.
I love what the police PRO said. It's now becoming interesting.
Northers should wait GEJ is coming to protect them in all their
Houses schools, schools and market places.

The agenda is working.

When u instruct ur wards to arm themselves then that can only translate into one summation: u got no confidence in the army and defence system and u got no confidence in the C n C .sls is back..dirty propaganda and another 'pull him down' strategy to discredit the hardworking gej..as always,bound to fail.

This is a strong condemnation of the insurgence but the hypocritical bigots we have on Nairaland would not take note; that a northern leader, a Muslim, an emir is speaking against the groups, they will overlook and continue with their brainlessness that Muslim leaders does not speak out!

Honestly, it has Gotten to this extent.

tit:
Sanusi is running scared!
When he was CBN governor he was funding boko haram.
The Oyinbo man davies exposed his yash.
Ever since he was removed from CBN,
he can no longer give boko haram rogues billions of naira again.
and the boys are angry with him.


Sanusi can run but he cannot hide from (his former boys) boko haram.

#Yinmu
Smh

Good call, the dumb police want to be the only ones with guns so they can intimidate the masses,the cowards are so scared of common gangsters talk more terorists.

If we all arm ourselves,more boko haram members will be killed and they will think twice before attacking.

We should build trenches in community centres,big men from towns and villages in Nigeria should sponsor vigilante units with RPG's and automatic weapons.

He he he he !!!

Civil war has just been officially declared by the Ayatollah himself.

A tacit message to their readied SOLDIERS to begin the war.

Arm yourselves, don't obey law and order, confront the military...

"Those who seek war will find it" - Anonymous

tit:
Sanusi is running scared!
When he was CBN governor he was funding boko haram.
The Oyinbo man davies exposed his yash.
Ever since he was removed from CBN,
he can no longer give boko haram rogues billions of naira again.
and the boys are angry with him.


Sanusi can run but he cannot hide from (his former boys) boko haram.

Scientists have recently discovered a virus that make ppl stewpid and it would appear to have already found you; otherwise an intelligent person wouldn't have made such illogically silly statement.

Over to the Northeners? It is Yøur call and it's your fight, Doesn't concern the Southerners...#My Opinion

Moreover, we've the Civillian JTF in place, that in essence should suffice.

All we can do is assist financially

^^^^You spoke as if the north is not part of Nigeria under the Federal Government with an official army and law enforcement agencies to protect it.
Why should then civilians be taking over the responsibility of the army - if not for the failure of the military and the said government under the watch of a clueless insensitive president, whose preoccupation is not effective governance but seeing how he could cling to power, by hook or by crook, even if it means sacrificing his own ppl; in this case, those in the NE region who evidently are not his kith or kin.

tit:
Sanusi is running scared!
When he was CBN governor he was funding boko haram.
The Oyinbo man davies exposed his yash.
Ever since he was removed from CBN,
he can no longer give boko haram rogues billions of naira again.
and the boys are angry with him.


Sanusi can run but he cannot hide from (his former boys) boko haram.

must you comment?

Please where can I buy a gun?

lilprinze:
Please where can I buy a gun?

now u are talking... We shud be thinking of where to acquire weapons and not to blame d government or d muslim leader for his comments. D call has already been made.
I need enuf weapons jaree...