In a significant move, the Civil Coalition for Credible Election (CSCCE), a prominent Civil Society Organisation in Nigeria, has expressed staunch opposition to a proposed bill that would permit Nigerians to bear arms for self-defense amidst the country’s escalating insecurity. The bill, championed by Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North Senatorial District, has already advanced through its first reading in the National Assembly.
CSCCE’s convener, Aminu Usman, voiced his apprehensions during a press conference in Abuja, warning that the implementation of this legislation could potentially trigger anarchy and chaos in an already unstable society. He argued that the proposed law could inflame the existing challenge of illegal arms circulation.
Non-State Actors Surpass Military in Firepower
Highlighting the severity of the situation, the organization pointed out that non-state actors already command an estimated 6.2 million arms, as per a 2020 survey by a Swiss-based non-profit. This figure significantly surpasses the Nigerian military’s arsenal of 586,600 guns and light weapons. Such an imbalance in firepower presents a worrying picture of the country’s security infrastructure.
In a direct appeal to the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and other lawmakers, CSCCE urged the rejection of the bill when it comes up for debate. The organization also hailed President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, for their ongoing efforts to address the insecurity issue without resorting to the controversial solution of arming civilians.
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