Nigeria's Call for Legal Gun Ownership Amid Rising Insecurity

The article discusses the urgent need for legalizing gun ownership in Nigeria due to the escalating insecurity and violence across the country. Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuik Ihejirika (retd), expressed concerns about the increasing attacks and murders, highlighting that the current security architecture is overwhelmed.

He pointed out that the existing 1959 Firearm Act is outdated and insufficient to address contemporary security challenges. Lawmakers, including Francis Fadahunsi and Ned Nwoko, are advocating for legislation that would allow responsible citizens to bear arms, citing that over 120 countries have legalized gun ownership.

They argue that regulated gun ownership, with strict licensing and psychological evaluations, could provide citizens with a means to protect themselves against bandits and terrorists. The article underscores the dire situation in Nigeria, where daily kidnappings and violent attacks have become commonplace, necessitating a reevaluation of gun ownership laws to enhance public safety.