The Nigerian government has been urged to consider licensing firearms for its citizens following the incessant killings and abductions recorded across the country.
The call for the licensing of firearms for Nigerians was made by the 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate for the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
Rhodes-Vivour, while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, said the government has failed in its responsibility to protect the people.
According to him, the government should take this step if it cannot ensure the safety of the lives and property of citizens across Nigeria.
“This is not just about the north. We have seen abductions in Kwara and Ogun States over the weekend. Destruction of institutions and the loss of public trust make people lose hope in government.
“I’m talking about this situation now because of the failure of the government that we found ourselves in, and in this failure, if the government cannot sit up, then they should start considering licensing firearms,” Rhodes-Vivour said.
Also cautioning the government against pushing citizens toward defending themselves, Rhodes-Vivour said that a short-term solution would only lead to long-term self-protection by Nigerians.
“If people do not believe the judiciary will deliver justice, or that the police will protect lives, they must act. If the military leaves and terrorists immediately kidnap and kill, people will have to defend themselves,” he said.
The former governorship candidate added that leaving Nigerians helpless in the growing insecurity rocking the country can only be described as “wickedness” on the part of the government.
“How many people must die before action becomes reality?”
“If I were in government, I would focus on protecting lives, not only the next election,” Rhodes-Vivour stated.
