During an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Thursday, the lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, Ned Nwoko, explained how Nigerians would be able to legally bear arms for self-defense.
News About Nigeria reported that the lawmaker, who in January 2024 proposed that civilians be allowed to own and make use of firearms, said the call was a result of the insecurity currently bedevilling the nation.
According to him, the bill that he introduced to the Senate is currently awaiting its first reading.
Speaking on what Nigerians must do to bear arms if the bill is passed into law, Nwoko explained that a person who wants to have access to arms for self-defense must have two references from two medical doctors proving that they are mentally fit.
He further noted that there are other strict measures that a civilian must abide by to get access to the arms to avoid misuse and abuse of the weapons.
The Senator further listed other criteria needed to carry an arm as a civilian, including a proper endorsement from the local government chairman for community validation, confirmation by the Divisional Police Officer to verify the intending bearer’s criminal record, and a traditional leader’s certification.
He also noted that citizens are faced with various security challenges that are threats to their lives but are helpless because they don’t have permission to bear arms.
Nwoko also added that bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements would not be able to consistently harass and kill innocent citizens when they know that the people they are attacking have sophisticated weapons to combat them and also protect themselves.
