ABUJA – The Civil Coalition for Credible Election (CSCCE), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has strongly opposed a proposed bill advocating for Nigerians to bear arms for self-defense, citing concerns over potential chaos and anarchy in the already volatile society.
Aminu Usman, convener of the CSCCE, expressed these sentiments during a press conference held yesterday in Abuja, where he decried the illegal circulation of arms and warned against the consequences of allowing citizens to bear arms as suggested by the proposed legislation.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North Senatorial District, urges Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits and terrorists. However, the CSCCE urged lawmakers to reject the bill, labelling it a pathway to anarchy and perdition.
According to the CSCCE, a survey conducted by a Swiss-based non-profit organization in 2020 estimated that Nigeria possesses approximately 6.2 million arms, excluding explosives, in the hands of non-state actors, surpassing the number held by the Nigerian military. The organization argued that legalizing the use of weapons, as proposed in the bill, would not be in the nation’s best interest.
The CSO appealed to Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and lawmakers of both chambers to reject the bill when it comes up for debate.
In addition, the CSCCE commended President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu for their approaches to addressing insecurity in the country.
The proposed bill has sparked intense debate and controversy across Nigeria, with stakeholders expressing divergent views on its potential implications for national security and stability.
