A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Uche Nwosu, has cautioned the Federal Government against encouraging Nigerians to obtain licenses for firearms, warning that it could worsen the already alarming security situation across the country.
Nwosu, a former Chief of Staff to ex-Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, made the remarks during a virtual media briefing on Saturday.
He was reacting to calls by former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung, activist Omoyele Sowore, and other members of the Coalition of Nigerian Patriots who advocated for citizens to be allowed to acquire guns for self-defense.
Disagreeing with the suggestion, Nwosu warned that legalizing civilian gun ownership could turn Nigeria into a lawless state.
“I don’t support people being encouraged to carry arms around because it will become a lawless country,” he said.
According to him, the proper solution would be to deploy more security agents to troubled areas and strengthen community policing initiatives.
“When individuals start carrying arms, it connotes trouble. Some people can easily get angry and misuse them. Besides, many of the bandits terrorizing communities are outsiders who cross into Nigeria to cause havoc and flee,” he said.
Nwosu also commended President Bola Tinubu for mandating security chiefs to urgently tackle the killings and restore peace, describing it as the action of a leader committed to protecting lives and property.
“I have had meetings with the security chiefs and heard the NSA say that the President has directed them that these killings must stop, and they are acting on it,” he added.
This comes as the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) also warned that illegal possession of firearms remains punishable with up to a 10-year jail term in Nigeria.
