As is usual in Nigeria, whenever there’s a national calamity, tongues wag either in total condemnation that goes with blame game which most often is tinted towards either ethnic or religious coloration. It is when the human emotion has negatively been dispensed that solutions are later proffered.
However, when incidents that claim several lives, and properties are destroyed then such becomes a national issue. Afterall, when we avoid past mistakes, it helps us to prevent future incidents. History had tabled many incidents that had painfully touched the hearts of Nigerians, yet we are yet to learn any lesson from them. No wonder, Juliette Gordon Low the founder of Girl Guide movement , said “The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers”.
Incidentally, sequel to the dastardly massacre of over 100 innocent indigens of a Bokon and Bakin ladi community in Plateau state by armed bandits, some have reiterated a recurrent call to liberalise the issuance of fire-arm license to individuals. Such a call is uncalled for and is laced with evil intension. Read Nehemiah 4:13-14-15, where such an attack on indigens was also recorded but they did not retaliate with the arms of flesh but allowed God to fight the battle.
Firearms is not an ordinary walking stick and because of its sophistication, such instrument of death cannot be left in the hands of everyone either because they desire it or they can afford it. The question should then be why did the constitution mandate the security agencies after training and arming them, is it not to protect the lives of every living Nigeria? Was that not the reason why they are handsomely remunerated? However, should any of the security agencies fail to meet the expectation of the people, then, inquiry should be set up to ascertain the reason for the failure. Most times, the fault can be traced to either the door step of the personels, their field commanders or the Chief of Army staff.
Interestingly the Chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, was quoted as saying. “I do not support that (self-defence). I think that is a call to anarchy.”
According to him, the Nigerian Army can defend the country and as such, there is no need for self-defence. Truely there is no need for self defence, was that not the reason why state governors and communities resorted to forming vigilante groups the question is which is better forming a vigilante groups or allowing individuals to acquire firearms. If we can arm “civilian JTF”
From the north eastern state and Amotekun in the south west and this armed vigilante groups are assisting security agencies in tackling insecurity in the country there is therefore no reason why there should be any call to disarm them Infact to disarm vigilante is opening doors for increased activities for bandits.
Meanwhile, senior Advocate of Nigeria Mr. Femi Falana was very explicit when he noted that the government should not shut the door against anyone desirous to own a licenced firearm. In the first place, it is not correct to say Nigerians have no right to bear arms. Apart from the fact that the penal code applicable to the North and the criminal code applicable to the South recognises the right to self-defence,” the Senior advocate stated in an interview on Wednesday with the TV station.
“In the first place, we have to discuss the rights and proceed to examine the propriety,” Mr Falana explained. “In other words, if someone aims a gun at me, and I can quickly grab another gun, I have the right to shoot.”
While clarifying whether or not the law allows one to bear guns, he emphasised that one needs to first apply for a licence, pointing out the demands of the constitution regarding self-defence.
“I am just saying the right to self-defence which is also guaranteed by the constitution. All I am not allowed to do is not use a force that is not proportional to the threat.
“In other words, If you are going to hit me with a cane, I must not go for a gun, which is not proportional,”
Also “The Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria, North-Central Zone, Pastor Simon Dolly, in an interview with Vanguard in Abuja on Monday, Dolly emphasised the importance of upholding the law and promoting peaceful means of conflict resolution.
He stated, “As religious leaders, it is our firm belief that the bearing of arms without proper licence or the authority to do so, regardless of the circumstances, is a violation of the law and can potentially lead to the further breakdown of order and security within our nation.
“It is our duty as faith leaders to advocate for lawful and peaceful means of conflict resolution. Instead of promoting the proliferation of arms, we emphasize the importance of prayer in our nation.”
It is evidently clear that Nigeria is not ripe for the proliferation of firearm with the tense situation parvaiding the country, thoroughly should the government allow arms to be acquired freely then both mortuary and cemetery may be filled up very quickly considering the volatile and temperamental nature of Nigerians in such an emotionally tensed country. Not withstanding what the constitution says must we close our eyes and reasoning faculty to allow an incident to dictate what will eventually bring regret and sorrow to the country.
No wonder, the National Assembly in their wisdom is still battling with the teething problem of proliferation of illegal firearms in the country
A bill sponsored by, Adejoro Adeogun from Ondo State, said in his legislative brief, that the bill, if passed, would help to address the current loopholes in the principal act.
According to the lawmaker, the bill seeks to amend sections 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 35 and 38 of the principal act. In total, the bill is proposing 16 amendments to the Act.
Importers of illegal firearms, if convicted, could get a minimum of 10 years of jail time, according to the proposed bill.
Also, the bill seeks to raise the minimum age to bear firearms to 18 years from the current 17 years with additional requirements.
The requirements include psychological evaluation and vision quality certificates from a government hospital, not more than six months, police clearance certificate, not more than twelve months, rifle club membership of at least six months.
Also, a firearms proficiency certificate issued by the club and a National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
One will therefore suggest for a total mopping up of illegal firearms that is common in every state of the country thereby sanitising the country. It is very obvious that those advocating for Nigerians to arm themselves are not thinking good for the country, they are emotionally carried away by the present calamity that befell plateau state instead of thinking deep of the overall consequences of having free access to firearm. Afterall, not every able bodied Nigerian can handle a dangerous firearm, neither can every able bodied Nigerian afford a dangerous firearm.