ONITSHA — Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Idemili Branch, Mr. Benjamin Chukwudi Okoko, has called on the Federal Government to liberalise the ownership of arms and ammunition, arguing that responsible, law-abiding Nigerians should be allowed to acquire firearms for self-defence amid the country’s worsening security situation.
Okoko made the call while reacting to the persistent attacks by bandits, gunmen and other criminal elements across the country. He said empowering responsible citizens to legally possess firearms would enhance their ability to protect themselves, their families and communities.
“Government should liberalise the ownership of arms and ammunition to enable Nigerians procure arms for self-defence against gunmen and bandits,” he said.
The legal practitioner also expressed concern over the increasing number of security checkpoints across the South-East, alleging that many have become centres for the extortion of motorists rather than serving genuine security purposes.
He urged the leadership of the affected security agencies to rein in their personnel, warning that continued harassment and extortion of road users could further erode public confidence and provoke public resentment.
Okoko identified the military, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and some vigilante groups as agencies frequently accused of operating multiple checkpoints in the region.
According to him, some operatives exploit routine road checks to extort money from commercial and private motorists under the guise of enforcing security measures.
He called on the relevant authorities to review the deployment of security personnel on highways and ensure that checkpoint operations are strictly geared towards crime prevention, public safety and intelligence gathering, rather than illegal revenue collection.
Okoko further stressed the need for stronger oversight and accountability in security operations, saying such measures would help restore public confidence while easing the burden on motorists and other road users.
Credit: Vanguard
