A video showing a Catholic priest calling authorities’ attention to heavily armed men allegedly spotted near a school in Southwest Nigeria triggered national concern over child safety and territorial insecurity. Amid the reactions, a Facebook comment offered a troubling narrative:
“The Fulani men are also human… they are as afraid as you are. The moment they know you can protect yourself, they will not come near you.”
This comment didn’t just downplay the threat—it justified it by suggesting self-armament as the deterrence strategy. Human empathy is valid, but comparing citizens’ fear to that of alleged armed groups near a school distorts the seriousness of the situation. The logic that “they won’t attack if you can harm back” mirrors a militia mindset, normalizing weapons near education spaces instead of lawful protection. Schools need state security, intelligence, and prevention—not armed standoffs or mutual intimidation.
Empathy must not rewrite accountability. Fear isn’t the danger—the call to counter-fear with arms is.
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