A concerned traditional ruler in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, the Etsu of Yagba in Abaji area council, has appealed to the federal government to lift the ban on private ownership of firearms.
Adamu reasoned that to prevent citizens from owning firearms will enable helpless citizens to protect themselves against bandits and kidnappers making life unbearable for people in many communities across the country.
The monarch reminded the government that the policy of restricting ownership of firearms has not achieved its original purpose and it has even emboldened bandits and kidnappers to move freely without fear of arrest.
He stated that the number of security personnel in the country were far too small to cover the large expanse of land territory taken over by desperate armed groups.
The ruler stated that it will be difficult for security personnel to contain the rising numbers of bandits operating at random in remote communities without proper collaboration with law abiding citizens.
Etsu Adamu told journalist at his palace during the celebration of the 10th year anniversary of his installation on the throne weekend that private ownership of firearms by licensed individuals will help reduce banditry and kidnapping to the barest minimum.
He declared that there are many honest Nigerians who can use any firearm assigned to them in a responsible manner and help security agents win the war against unknown gunmen.
“We are at the mercy of bandits and kidnappers in this area. The policy which banned private ownership of firearms has not helped the nation and should be discarded.
“The policy has even emboldened bandits operating at the rural communities and they attack anytime of the day or night. We appeal to the government to lift the ban on private ownership of firearms. We need prayers to survive. Just yesterday, three people were killed in the neighbouring community and many people were kidnapped.”
