Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, has defended the rationale behind his proposal for a bill that would permit civilians to own and carry firearms.
The lawmaker reiterated his position on Wednesday as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Senator Nwoko stated that allowing Nigerians to bear arms would help address the country’s insecurity challenges, enabling citizens to defend themselves effectively.
When asked if carrying guns would solve the nation’s security problems, the lawmaker said, “Yes, it will.”
He also narrated how his Senior Legislative Aide was killed last November when gunmen attacked his home in Abuja.
His words: “My SLA was killed in November last year and the wife said the estate was attacked by kidnappers. When they got to their door, they wanted to knock down the door, the wife and kids went to hide under the bed in one of the rooms.
“When he want to open the door, he was taken and nobody saw him again. As a matter of fact, those people who took him away have been arrested. If he had a gun or members of that estate had guns, you think the kidnappers would have the audacity to knock from house to house knowing that people are armed? That wouldn’t happen,” Nwoko said.
However, Nwoko emphasized that his proposal includes strict regulations.
He said, “For you to have the license to have a gun, you must go through a training school, a shooting school, which is a training school. You must get confirmation from two doctors that you have a sound mind.
“You must get reports from the DSS and from the police. You must also be confirmed by your local traditional ruler that you are who you are,” he said, adding that only qualified individuals would be allowed to carry arms under his plan.”
