Nigerian Official Says Country ‘Not Mature’ Enough for Citizens to Own Guns

Consider this a bookend to my last post about pro-Second Amendment immigrants, especially those coming from countries where the right to keep and bear arms doesn’t exist. 

Nigeria is one of those countries, though there’s been a push in recent months to change that and allow Nigerians subject to attack by Islamist terror groups like Boko Haram and its offshoots. One Nigerian official, though, is pouring cold water on that idea and claiming the country isn’t “mature” enough to allow citizens to keep and bear arms in self-defense. 

The Interim Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSAN), Major-General Elias Njoku (retd), has rejected calls for civilians to bear guns for self-defence, saying the country is not yet at that point.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja alongside members of ALPSAN’s interim management, Njoku said those pushing for gun licensing for private citizens were reacting emotionally rather than strategically.

“Those calling for licensing of arms for private individuals and citizens to bear arms are speaking due to the spur of the moment,” he said.

“They don’t know the long-term implications. We have not gotten to that stage yet.”

Isn’t it possible that advocates for civilian gun ownership are reacting both emotionally and strategically? As the BBC reported today, Nigeria is dealing with, among other things, “a spate of mass abductions,” including the kidnapping of school children. 

There are criminal gangs in the north-west, an Islamist insurgency in the north-east, clashes over land in central regions and separatist unrest in the south-east – leaving the 400,000-strong army and the police force of 370,000 officers overstretched.

Which is all the more reason for the government to repeal its strict gun control laws and allow average citizens to legally own guns for self-defense and protection of their families. The BBC notes that most of these abductions are coming from criminal gangs “largely composed of people from the Fulani ethnic group, who traditionally make their living by raising animals.” 

They have traded their pastoral tools for assault rifles, which have flooded Nigeria – and other states in the region – since Libya descended into anarchy following the overthrow in 2011 of long-time strongman Muammar Gadaffi by Nato-backed forces.

The gangs are not known to be motivated by any religious or political ideology, but see kidnapping people for ransom as a quick and easy way to make money rather than walking for miles with their livestock in search of water and grazing land.

… Younger bandits, some in their teens, are increasingly taking to TikTok to show off their ransom money, guns and motorcycles – and have garnered thousands of followers.

Just like in gun controlled-parts of the United States like New York and California, it’s much easier for criminals to get a gun in Nigeria than it is for a law-abiding citizen to legally obtain one. 

In fact, between the bandits, the terrorists, and the government, it seems like the only group in Nigeria that is unarmed are average, everyday citizens. The country’s restrictive gun laws have failed to keep its citizens safe, the government’s security forces are “overstretched,” criminal groups and terrorists are emboldened, and Njoku says the country isn’t “mature” enough to allow for civilian gun ownership? 

It’s he and other officials insistent on keeping the country’s civilian disarmament policy in place who are viewing the state of Nigeria with childish simplicity. I’m guessing those residents who are terrorized by criminal groups and Islamist jihadis are actually pretty clear-headed in their desire to own a firearm. They’re well aware of the failure of Nigeria’s gun laws when it comes to stopping criminals and terrorists from getting ahold of weapons. All they’re asking for is a fighting chance against those who would kidnap their children or attack their communities. 

Editor’s Note: It’s the holiday season, which means Bearing Arms VIP’s Black Friday sale is back!

Now through Monday evening, 11:59 PM ET, receive 60% OFF an annual VIP, VIP Gold, or VIP Platinum membership with promo code FIGHT. And right now, if you join Bearing Arms VIP Platinum, you will be entered for a chance to win one of five Lifetime Platinum memberships!