Chief Ben Adaji, an APC chieftain, has advised the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to grant licenses to reasonable Nigerians to bear arms for self-defense.
Adaji, who gave the advice while briefing reporters in Jalingo on Sunday, said the situation in which innocent Nigerians are constantly on the lookout for bandits and kidnappers is concerning.
The APC Chieftain, a veteran journalist and expert on human security and counter-terrorism, stated that security should no longer be left solely in the hands of security personnel.
He stated that the rising tide of kidnapping and banditry across the country should concern all Nigerians.
He also stated that some non-combatant measures are required to snuff out the threat.
“You will agree with me that, due to Nigeria’s large population, it is not possible for security agencies to be present in every home to provide security for Nigerians.”
“As a result, it has become necessary for certain categories of Nigerians to be licensed to bear arms for self-defense,” he said.
Adaji, a two-time aspirant for the House of Representatives from Kogi state’s Ankpa Federal Constituency, advised the military to use the recent court order labeling bandits as terrorists to deal decisively with Boko Haram and the bandits.
With the recent court declaration of bandits as a terrorist group, he believes the military should ensure adequate use of the Tucano fighter aircrafts procured from the US to eliminate bandits and Boko Haram elements.
The APC Chieftain also advised the government to create more job opportunities and to address poverty, both of which are factors that contribute to insecurity.
Adaji also advised the Federal Government to launch a massive disarmament campaign with zeal to seize all sophisticated weapons that may be found in the wrong hands across the country.
He tasked the newly established Centre for the Control of Light and Small Arms, housed in the Office of the National Security Adviser, with stepping up the campaign against illegal carrying and possession of firearms.
The security expert also advocated for the creation of special courts to expedite the prosecution of citizens in possession of illegal weapons, claiming that such measures would help to control the proliferation of arms in Nigeria.
Adaji advised the new center to deploy intelligence to all land borders and ports of entry in order to detect the illegal entry of arms into the country.
He advised Nigerians to be aware of their surroundings and to avoid entrusting total responsibility for their own individual and collective security to security agencies.