Security experts fault Gov. Ortom’s call for AK47 license

A security expert Ben Okezie has said the call by the Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom that licenses should be issued to citizens to possess AK47 riffles is uncalled for.

Okezie in an interview with Daily Trust on Thursday said an AK47 is not a double-barreled gun and as such license for the carrying of such arms can only be issued by the President.

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He said Ortom lacks knowledge of the security implication of his demand and as such shouldn’t be taken seriously.

He lamented that the police have been unable to mop up small weapons and firearms in the country, and now the call for more sophisticated firearms is misguided.

Also speaking to Daily Trust, retired Commissioner of Police (CP), Lawrence Alobi said the call for licenses for AK47 is dangerous.

He said, the United State of America, where there is a gun culture experiences some of the worst violent crimes.

He said it is the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens and as such efforts must be intensified to strengthen the police to protect the people.

Recall that Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State made a case for the Federal Government of Nigeria to grant licences to responsible citizens to carry sophisticated weapons such as AK47 to deter criminals from attacking innocent and helpless Nigerians.

In recent times, Benue state has witnessed incidences of violent attacks that left many people killed and injured.

Ortom’s proposal, which was part of some submissions in the paper he delivered on Tuesday during the virtual meeting convened by Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) in collaboration with Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), also suggested that the policy should be backed by a strict legal framework to prevent illegal possession of arms by the citizenry without exception.

The governor, in the paper entitled, ‘Insecurity and Governance Challenges in the New Normal,’ stated that governments at all levels must come to terms with the fact that insecurity is a real threat to development of the country and be willing to sincerely tackle the menace.

He also recommended adequate funding of security agencies and continuous training of their personnel to enable them be abreast of global dynamics in the fight against insecurity.