The Zamfara State government has officially suggested that its citizens carry arms for self-defence as a result of the incessant attacks by bandits on communities in the state, leading to the destruction of lives and property.
Unfortunately, this action would add fuel to the crisis unfolding in the state and beyond by potentially making it unmanageable. It is likely that everyone would soon acquire a gun to protect himself from these marauders.
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I would suggest the government to take Mexico as a case of study, over what the country experienced as its citizens were constitutionally allowed to own weapons for self-defence.
As such, we need to thoroughly observe the situations in those countries and be able to identify those areas where they erred so that we would avoid repeating what their mistakes.
Despite the fact that Nigeria is one of the biggest African countries with military power, the number of our military personnel and other security agencies is insufficient to strike back against these outlaws.
So, the action would seriously make the efforts of our brave military less appreciative even though they have been doing their best to safeguard our lives and properties day-in-day-out.
In a country like Nigeria, where breach of law has increasingly become the norm, what then can be expected to happen if a citizen is allowed to possess arms?
So it is an improper decision and should be changed with a better option.
Instead of coming up with this irrational idea, it is better to engage the state vigilantes and empower them with advanced and sophisticated weapons as well as train them to strengthen our security agencies’ capacity.
The state government should request support from the federal government in employing more civilians to serve in its vigilante units in different parts of the state to fight these law violators.
Musbahu Magayaki, Sabon Fegi, Azare, Bauchi State
