Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta North senatorial district has said that his proposed bill allowing Nigerians to carry firearms was born out of desperation and the need for the citizens to protect themselves from the rising insecurity in the country.
Speaking today on Arise TV, the senator proved that his bill for Nigerians to carry firearms stands as the best option to eradicate Killings and kidnapping in Nigeria.
According to Punch news "The lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, Ned Nwoko, on Thursday, explained in detail his proposed bill that will allow Nigerians to bear arms for self-defence following the spate of insecurity across the country.
"The lawmaker had last month called for the introduction of a bill that allows civilians to own and carry firearms.
“An amendment bill allowing civilian firearm ownership must be introduced in the Senate. My bill on self-defence and firearms ownership regulation, currently listed in the Senate awaiting its first reading, deals with this pressing issue,” he had said.
Meanwhile, in January 2021, Chief Dr. Patrick Osagie Eholor (FoNS) otherwise known as Ultimate Equal wrote in his article titled " "RIGHT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY IN NIGERIA: A FAILED REALITY."
In this article, Dr. Eholor stated that "Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right…”
Furthermore, Eholor quoted from the Nigeria's constitution "The right to life is amply provided for in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) in Sec 33, which clearly states that every person has a right to life and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria. Likewise, Section 14 (2b) states that the welfare and security of the citizens shall be the primary purpose of government. But irrespective of all the above provisions, Nigerians continue to witness cases of gross violation of human rights."
While dissecting the content of the bill when he featured on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Thursday, Nwoko listed the criteria for Nigerians to bear arms as contained in the bill to include references from two medical doctors certifying mental fitness.
Others include endorsement from the local government chairman for community validation, a traditional leader’s certification, and confirmation by the Divisional Police Officer to verify the intending bearer’s criminal record.
He said, “Talking about my bill, it is not just about people carrying arms, or just going into a store to buy arms, there are measures that have been proposed and they are very strict. In America, every citizen has a right to bear arms and it is enshrined in their constitution. In Nigeria, it is not so.
Dr. Eholor however said in his statement said "it is not the case in Nigeria, where human beings are massacred with impunity and properties wasted almost on a daily basis. The African Centre for Strategic Studies (ACSS) estimates that over 60,000 persons were killed in Nigeria’s Middle Belt between 2001 and 2016. In the first 70 days of 2018, over 1,400 persons were killed violently across the country, an average of nearly 40 per State and the Federal Capital Territory. In parts of the North East, Boko Haram militant group continues to terrorize, killing thousands of citizens while armed bandits parading as Fulani herdsmen continue to unleash mayhem in parts of Middle Belt and South East states on innocent Nigerians going about their daily activities.
"The most recent attack being the onslaught that took place at Birom in Jos, Plateau State and across other communities in four local government areas, between the 23-25th June 2018 (even till date -2024-)where over hundred unarmed persons, including women and children were reported dead and more injured resulting from the attack by the armed bandits masquerading as Fulani herdsmen.
"The gruesome murder of citizens in Nigeria is becoming a daily occurrence with little or no attention being given to this issue of violation of human rights by the government of the day. The latest killings of innocent citizens in Jos for whatever reason is most despicable, totally unacceptable and a wicked act by all standards and is highly condemnable. Safety of life and property is no longer guaranteed and protected. Most worrisome is the fact that a certain group of persons have taken responsibility of this heinous crime and yet they walk the streets of Nigeria free, like sacred entities. The notorious group claims it was a retaliatory attack on the community for their stolen cows, yet till date; no single herdsman has been arrested or held accountable by the security agencies in Nigeria." Dr. Eholor concluded