A human rights activist in Warri, Delta State, Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, on Thursday said legaliSing firearms for citizens could further tear the society apart. Agberen made the call in a statement sent to DAILY POST.
He said any policy on gun ownership must be accompanied by strict regulations and enforcement to ensure that it does not exacerbate the already dire security situation in the country.
He added that such regulations and enforcement should be effectively implemented in Nigeria and adhered to by its citizens.
“While many citizens believe it is essential for the Federal Government of Nigeria to permit the licensed use of firearms due to heightened insecurity and the government’s failure at all levels to protect its citizens, firearms are legally licensed and accessible in stable and developed environments where the government has ensured effective governance and smooth state operations, thus enabling citizens to thrive and, first, discouraging the nurturing of crimes.”
According to him, “When an environment is volatile and underdeveloped, considering the absence of basic necessities that the government could provide for its citizens, such as unemployment benefits, industrialization, social security, welfare benefits, and other fundamental services required for survival, apart from the risk of these weapons falling into the wrong hands, the existing insecurity crisis will intensify.”
Agberen explained that, “These underlying factors can also complicate the role of law enforcement, potentially leading to situations where individuals take the law into their own hands rather than relying on the state security apparatus, which may also increase death rates among young people even without a fair hearing.
“Another major concern is the potential escalation in gun-related violence, considering that we are concurrently grappling with vices such as cultism, armed robbery and banditry.”