Insecurity: Should Nigerians Be Allowed To Carry Firearms & Defend Themselves As Advised By Zamfara Governor?

If there is any major challenge confronting Nigeria at the moment, it is the problem of insecurity that has held the nation in the jugular.

Hardly will a day pass without the report of killings and kidnapping for ransom in different states across the country. 

On Monday, Zamfara state governor, Bello Matawalle during an interactive session with the press over the spate of baditry in the state advised his people to go and get gun, license and defense themselves.

The governor apparently spoke out of frustration after several efforts to abate the orgy of killing in the state without any meaningful result. As a matter of fact, Zamfara is one of the worse hit state when it comes to the issue of insecurity.

However Matawalle statement has continued to generate mixed reactions by many Nigerians. While some people agreed to the suggestion, others frowned at it, arguing that it is the constitutional responsibilities of government to protect lives and properties.

Nigerians have expressed themselves either in support or against the move by the governor. But one thing that is yet to be cleared however is whether the government still has the capacity to protect the citizens considering the ravaging terrorists disturbing the peace of the people across the country.

In the same vein, it is a matter of importance for people to be protected against blood thirsty terrorists either through the government efforts or other means.

But carrying gun for self defense cannot make a solution to the problem. As matter of fact, it will simply complicate the matter.

If everyone is allowed to carry gun in Nigeria, no one will be saved. Insecurity is just one of many problems confronting the nation. There is skyrocketing unemployment, hyper inflation, dearth of human and societal value as well as frustration in the land.

These have made many people to be bittered, disgruntled and frustrated. At a slight provocation by another fellow, anyone holding a gun can pull the trigger without thinking twice. 

Giving people the privilege to carry gun will simply breed more robbery, kidnapping, raping and extra judicial killings across the country. People who already have the mind to rob, rape or kidnap will simply seize the opportunity to embark on their mission.

In my opinion, it is not a wise decision for government to license guns for Nigerians for self defence. It will only worsen the present situation. What the government should do is to fortify the security apparatus. Pay more attention to security personnel. Recruit more officers and give them required trainings.

This is the only way insecurity can be tackled effectively. Advising the citizens to carry arms will be counter-productive.