Debate Grows Over Regulated Civilian Gun Ownership Amid Nigeria Insecurity

Calls to legalise regulated gun ownership for vetted civilians are growing louder in Nigeria as insecurity deepens across the country, with former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and some lawmakers arguing that current protections are not enough.

Ihejirika said criminals are already armed while many citizens remain exposed, raising questions about whether trained and responsible Nigerians should continue to be denied legal access to firearms for self-defence. He also questioned why agencies and local security structures are not being equipped in line with present threats on major roads and in vulnerable communities.

The concern comes against a backdrop of persistent attacks, kidnappings and killings reported in many parts of the country. Data cited from the HumAngle Tracker indicated that at least 524 people were killed in January in incidents linked to terrorist attacks, conflict-related violence, humanitarian crises and road accidents. Beyond reported deaths, survivors and families are also dealing with trauma, injuries, loss of livelihoods and prolonged social disruption.

Supporters of reform said this pattern has exposed serious weaknesses in the security architecture, especially in remote areas where response times are often slow. They argued that a tightly controlled licensing framework, backed by background checks, compulsory training and mental health evaluations, could improve deterrence while complementing the work of formal security agencies.

At the centre of the debate is Nigeria’s Firearms Act of 1959, which critics described as outdated for current realities. They said gaps remain in penalties for illegal possession, regulation of dealers, tracing and monitoring systems, oversight of military-grade weapons, and enforcement around smuggling routes and porous borders. Some also pointed to unclear legal guidance on the role of community vigilante groups and other non-state actors.

In the National Assembly, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East, had in November urged lawmakers to enact legislation that would allow responsible Nigerians to bear arms amid worsening insecurity. He said more than 120 countries have legal frameworks permitting some level of civilian arms ownership.

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, has also sponsored a bill pushing for legislation to allow civilian ownership and carriage of firearms under lawful conditions. Nwoko said attacks by bandits and other armed groups have shown that existing arrangements are failing many communities. He argued that if criminal groups know residents can lawfully defend themselves, potential attackers may think twice before launching assaults.

Those who oppose legalisation warned that weak institutions, poor enforcement culture and concerns around emotional restraint could create fresh risks if firearms become more widely available. They maintained that widening access without a strong control regime could trigger misuse and escalation.

Proponents, however, said the greater risk is leaving law-abiding citizens permanently defenceless while criminal networks continue to operate with firepower. They argued that reform does not have to mean uncontrolled access. Instead, they proposed strict eligibility standards, periodic renewals, mandatory certification by qualified medical professionals, and strong accountability mechanisms to separate lawful possession from criminal abuse.

Ihejirika compared the current security crisis to a disease that has spread widely and now requires urgent, far-reaching intervention. In his view, delay only gives violent actors more room to expand.

As pressure mounts, attention is shifting to the National Assembly, where advocates want lawmakers to move quickly on self-defence and firearms regulation proposals. Supporters of the bills said a modern legal framework could reduce public vulnerability, strengthen lawful self-protection and close loopholes that have persisted under an old law many now consider unfit for present-day threats.