Security expert and President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies, Mike Ejiofor, has said legalizing the use of firearms and weapons by Nigerians as a way of self defense would not lead to anarchy in the country.
jerrymusa.com reports that Ejiofor notes, due to the unsatisfactory security situation in the country, the government should encourage citizens to engage in self-defense.
He explained that he mentioned at a conference some years ago the need for Nigerians to liberalize the carrying of arms, a position he continues to hold today.
He said: “I agree with the argument that allowing Nigerians to use arms would be an abuse. There is a tendency to abuse, but we should not do it… The primary objective of the government is the welfare and security of the people, as envisaged and enshrined in our Constitution.
“Why don’t we liberalize the carrying of firearms so that when you come to my house you know that I’m armed too? But these people act with impunity, they behave differently because they know that people are not armed. I don’t think this will lead to anarchy.”
Reacting to the Chief of Army Staff’s statement that Nigeria would descend into anarchy if citizens were allowed to bear arms, Ejiofor stressed that the country was already in a state of anarchy.
Nigerians in a state of anarchy
He said, “I don’t believe that. We already live in a state of anarchy. We are already there. People can’t do their normal tasks.”And traveling is now a problem. I don’t think we should go any further. The government should encourage people to protect themselves.
He further said a 2020 study showed that there were a record 6.1 million illegal weapons in the hands of civilians in Nigeria and that three out of every 100 Nigerians own firearms.
When asked why this was not visible with ongoing killings, he replied: “Nigeria’s political elites are the cause of this problem and have illegal weapons with which they organized elections.”
“Once the elections are over, save them for the next elections. Now you are talking about people from rural areas, for example Bokko. How will they get such weapons? And if they have access to weapons, they will not be killed by the hundreds, but there will be resistance. »
Ejiofor said there are rules about who can have a gun license, adding: “The person carrying the gun must be of sound mind and not crazy.”We need to subject these people to mental tests to confirm that they are not angry.
Legalizing the use of gun
He added: “The field of mental health is still defined by medical professionals. So before showing such a weapon, you must examine their mental state and temperament. And you actually see people brandishing illegal weapons and openly shooting weapons in public places, at celebrations, but nothing happens.
“So what’s left but how to legalize this gun license? So when you come to my house, you will feel challenged because you will feel that I also have my arms at home,” he added.
On security problems in Nigeria and how to solve them, Ejiofor said: “We are talking about setting up a state police force. Responding to arguments against the establishment of a state police force that state policemen would be attacked, he said: “Isn’t the Nigerian police being exploited?”
Security issues in Nigeria
He expressed concern about the shortage of police personnel and that police officers are tasked with protecting public figures rather than strengthening national security.
Ejiofor said: “The other day we were talking about GI withdrawal. Every soldier comes and says he will resign.We do not have enough staff for the police to meet the challenges.
“If the army starts bombing some of these officers, it will be the responsibility of the police to take control and hold the place, but we don’t have the personnel to deal with it, they are protecting the people.”
“Let them remove all these people and let the members of the National Assembly who are supposed to make laws take our security seriously when they are protected.”