The National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Weapons has rejected a proposed bill that would permit Nigerians to bear arms for self-defence, arguing that the country is not ready for such a measure.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North, seeks to empower citizens to defend themselves against criminals. Nwoko contends that allowing civilians to carry arms could act as a deterrent to rising crime in the country.
However, Ben Akinlade, the South-West Coordinator of the centre, disagrees. In an interview with Punch, Akinlade, a former director of the Department of State Services, warned that legalising civilian arms could escalate violence rather than curb it.
He pointed to the ongoing struggles with gun violence in the United States, cautioning that Nigeria could face similar outcomes if arms were widely available. “Bearing arms is not the solution to kidnapping or armed robbery,” Akinlade said, stressing that such a move would complicate efforts by security agencies to combat crime.
Akinlade also highlighted concerns that widespread access to firearms could lead to increased misuse, even in settings like the National Assembly, where tensions could escalate into violence. “Nigeria is not ripe for such a law,” he concluded. “Allowing Nigerians to bear arms will not prevent crime; it will cause more harm.”