Should Nigerians be allowed to carry guns openly?
The recent surge in armed attacks in Plateau State, Nigeria, has brought back into focus the debate on whether Nigerians should be allowed to carry firearms openly for self-defense.
As of December 28, 2023, the Nigerian Red Cross had recorded 161 deaths, 32,604 affected persons, 29,350 displaced persons, 301 injured and 27 houses burned in the wake of plateau attacks and this is not the first time Nigeria is experiencing a surge of armed attacks.
The government, security agencies, religious leaders, and concerned citizens have expressed diverse opinions on this matter.
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
The Commandant General of NSCDC, Ahmed Audi, says Nigerians are not ripe to be allowed to bear arms. He strongly disapproves of the idea, citing concerns about the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, emphasizing the importance of civilization and education.
“Even in Europe and America where they have that law where virtually everybody once you can drive can have arms, they are trying to control it now because of how some events unfold,” Audi was quoted by local media Premium Times. “In the world, especially in Europe and America, somebody will just wake up and just go to a school and open fire on kids. You know that is madness.”
Nigeria’s House of Representatives
In August 2020, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State called on the federal government to let citizens bear arms for self-defence.
“What about the herdsmen who are carrying AK-47s and kidnapping innocent Nigerians, raping our women and destroying our villages and towns and becoming a terror to us? How about them? Why can’t we collect these sophisticated weapons from them? How many of them have been arrested?” he questioned.
Similarly, Majority Leader Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, responding to a terrorist attack on a train in April 2022, advocated for citizens to be allowed to bear arms for self-defence.
“Nigerians at this moment should be allowed to take arms to defend their innocent souls and their hard-earned resources and properties. Because it’s like a monumental failure,” he said.
Later in June 2022, international media Reuters reported that the Nigerian governor for Zamfara State has ordered the issuing of licenses so citizens can carry guns to defend themselves against armed groups, a desperate situation in one of the most attacked states in Nigeria.
Chief of Army Staff
On New Year's Eve in 2024, Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, dismissed calls for self-defence, asserting that the Nigerian Army could adequately defend the country.
“I do not support that. I think that is a call for anarchy,” was quoted by local media Channels, adding “I have reeled out our plans for 2024 for Plateau State. The troops we are deploying to Plateau, are on their way to Plateau now.”
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) emphasizes upholding the law and peaceful conflict resolution. The Secretary of CAN, North-Central Zone, Pastor Simon Dolly, states that bearing arms without proper authorization could violate the law and potentially lead to further breakdowns in order and security, local media Vanguard reported.
Concerned citizen
A concerned citizen, Joseph Igiabge, appeals to the Senators of Nigeria, arguing against an increase in armed agencies. “The fact that we have lost our value orientation does not mean we should now subject ourselves to further proliferation of light and small arms weapons in Nigeria,” he was quoted by local media Vanguard.
The existing laws of the Federation of Nigeria do not grant a right to gun possession. However, in response to severe attacks in the northern part of the country, an amendment is being debated. The question remains whether this is the safest and best solution.
