The National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Weapons has opposed the proposed bill that will allow Nigerians to bear arms for self-defence, insisting that Nigeria is not ripe for arms bearing.
Sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, the bill aims to empower Nigerians to bear arms in self-defence against criminals.
Nwoko argued that allowing Nigerians to carry arms would be a deterrent to criminals, potentially addressing the country’s worsening security situation.
But the South-West Coordinator of the centre, Ben Akinlade, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said legalising arms for civilians could escalate violence rather than curb it.
Akinlade, a former director of the Department of State Services, insisted that arms-bearing was not the solution to Nigeria’s security woes.
He cited America’s ongoing struggles with gun violence as an example, cautioning that Nigeria might face similar consequences if arms were made widely accessible.
Akinlade said, “Bearing of arms is not the solution to kidnapping or armed robbery; rather it will make it worse. Nigeria is not ripe for arms-bearing. In America, not all the states legalised the use of arms.
“You can imagine what is happening in America today with incidents of gun attacks on innocent people. What will happen in Nigeria if everybody is allowed to carry guns?
“If you go to schools, you will be surprised at the number of arms we have mopped up. If we now legalise the use of arms, do you know what that will cost the country?
“If the person proposing the bill has a gun, he can use it at any slightest provocation. Which African country has legalised the use of arms? Criminal activities in Nigeria are on the increase and allowing Nigerians to bear arms will only make it difficult for security agencies to fight crime.
“If we allow all Nigerians to carry arms, even at the National Assembly, everybody will bring out his pistol at any slight provocation.
“Nigeria is not ripe for such a law. Allowing Nigerians to bear arms will not prevent crime, it will cause more harm as people will misuse their arms at the slightest provocation.”
