Bill seeking arms bearing in self-defence an invitation to anarchy – CSO

A Civil Society Organisation, CSO, said that a bill seeking Nigerians to bear arms and weapons for self-defence is an invitation to anarchy and chaos, given the volatile nature of the society.

Operating under the aegis of Civil Coalition for Credible Election, CSCCE, its convener, Hon. Aminu Usman, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, decried the massive illegal circulation of arms, weapons and explosives in the system, stressing that if Nigerians are allowed as suggested by the bill, Nigeria will transit to doomsday.

The reaction was against the backdrop of a bill seeking Nigerians to be able to defend themselves against bandits and terrorists, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District.

The group pointed out that the alarming number of weapons in circulation has made it impossible for the bill to sail through, hence, they called on lawmakers in the upper and lower legislative chambers to reject it.

The group said, “We are also quick to object to the proposed bill lying in the National Assembly proposing for citizens to bear arms in self-defence.

“Without mincing words, the bill which was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District which has passed first reading is an invitation to anarchy and perdition and should be rejected.

“In a survey carried out by a Swiss-based non-profit organisation in 2020, said Nigeria had an estimated 6.2 million arms, excluding explosives in hands of non-state actors, a number far more than the Nigerian military’s 586,600 guns and light weapons.

“The non-state actors and some civilians have used illegal arms to wage war against the state, and legalising the use of weapons as captured in the “general principles” of the bill as it were would not be in the interest of the nation.

“Therefore, the Civil Society Coalition for Credible Election is calling on the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas and lawmakers of the upper and lower legislative Chambers to reject the bill as soon as it is due for debate.”

The group commended President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu for the approach to tackling insecurity in the country, noting that the level of attack was gradually whittling down.

According to the group, residents of communities in Katsina State who deserted their homeland due to a terrorist invasion have returned home, while they called on the government to intensify efforts towards the full restoration of peace across the nation.