Self Defence is a constitutionally guaranteed right for every
Nigerian to use reasonable and necessary force for the defence of
person and property, from unlawful violence.
However, not all retaliatory force is held to be reasonable and
necessary to sustain the defence of self defence.
Hence this article seeks to educate the reader on the
following:
- Meaning and Nature of self-defence;
- Statutory provisions of self defence under Nigerian law;
- Ingredients of self-defence;
- Proportion of defence.
1. MEANING AND NATURE OF SELF DEFENCE
The term 'Self Defence' is derived from the Latin term
"se defendendo", which means defending
oneself. It is the use of force to protect oneself, one's
family or property from real or threatened attack.
