A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Jackson Lekan Ojo, has raised alarm over calls to permit Nigerians to bear arms for self-defense, warning that such a move could plunge the nation into widespread chaos and anarchy.
Speaking in Abuja during an interview with journalists, Chief Ojo, a respected political analyst and security expert, stated that approving widespread ownership of firearms among citizens would only worsen the security challenges Nigeria is already grappling with. He argued that the nation’s fragile socio-political fabric could be torn apart if citizens are allowed to take the law into their own hands.
Chief Ojo’s warning comes amid growing agitation from several quarters urging the government to relax laws restricting private ownership of firearms. Some advocates believe that allowing responsible citizens to bear arms would help them defend themselves against incessant attacks by bandits, kidnappers, and other violent criminals, especially in rural communities where security presence is minimal.
However, the APC stalwart maintained that while the frustration and fear among citizens are understandable, legalizing the bearing of arms would be akin to inviting disaster. According to him, Nigeria’s complex ethnic, religious, and political landscape makes the environment unsuitable for mass armament.
He said, “In a society like ours, where tribal sentiments, religious intolerance, and political bitterness run deep, arming everybody would be a recipe for disaster. If the government approves gun ownership for citizens, it would not take long before minor disagreements escalate into full-blown wars. What starts as self-defense will quickly turn into offensives.”
Chief Ojo noted that even the security agencies, which are professionally trained to handle weapons, sometimes face issues of misconduct and misuse of firearms. He questioned how much worse the situation could get if untrained civilians are empowered to carry guns openly.
He added, “Even within our security institutions, there are occasional instances of misuse of weapons, despite rigorous training and codes of conduct. How do we expect untrained citizens, many of whom are already frustrated and angry, to responsibly bear arms without misusing them? We will be creating more problems than we intend to solve.”
The APC chieftain called for a more holistic approach to the nation’s security challenges rather than embracing what he described as “dangerous shortcuts.” He urged the federal government to invest more in intelligence gathering, modern security equipment, and better welfare for security personnel, to boost the fight against criminal elements.
Chief Ojo also advocated for stronger community policing structures and greater collaboration between security agencies and local communities. He stressed that empowering traditional rulers, local vigilantes, and neighborhood security watch groups with intelligence-sharing and logistics support — rather than weapons — would go a long way in enhancing grassroots security.
He said, “Our focus should be on strengthening the capacity of security agencies, empowering traditional institutions with intelligence support, and establishing effective community policing frameworks. We must address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and weak governance structures, instead of thinking that guns in every household will be the magic solution.”
In addition, Chief Ojo expressed concern over the potential for the proliferation of illegal arms if gun ownership is legalized. He noted that Nigeria already struggles with the infiltration of small arms and light weapons through its porous borders, and that a policy promoting civilian armament would only exacerbate the situation.
“There are already too many illegal weapons in circulation,” he said. “We have to be careful not to worsen an already dangerous situation. If citizens are allowed to possess guns legally, it would be almost impossible to monitor and regulate. Criminal elements would exploit the loopholes to arm themselves even more heavily.”
Chief Ojo concluded by urging political leaders, policymakers, and civil society groups to think deeply about the long-term implications of legalizing gun ownership in Nigeria. He cautioned that while the idea might sound attractive to those feeling helpless, the unintended consequences could be far more devastating for national unity and security.
“Our leaders must be wise and forward-thinking. We cannot solve violence with more violence. We must choose the path of strengthening law enforcement, promoting social justice, and building trust between citizens and the state. That is the only sustainable path to peace and security,” he said.
As debates around citizen armament continue to heat up across the country, Chief Ojo’s cautionary words serve as a stark reminder of the complex dynamics at play — and the grave risks that rash decisions could bring upon an already beleaguered nation.
