Nigeria: Ex-NBA chairman urges liberalized gun ownership for self-defense amid insecurity

Amidst escalating insecurity across Nigeria, a prominent legal figure has called for a significant policy shift: liberalizing gun ownership to empower law-abiding citizens for self-defense. Benjamin Chukwudi Okoko, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association's Idemili Branch, believes that authorizing responsible individuals to procure firearms is a necessary measure to combat the growing threats posed by bandits, gunmen, and other criminal elements.

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Government should liberalize the ownership of arms and ammunition to enable Nigerians procure arms for self-defence against gunmen and bandits.

Okoko stated that such a policy would enable citizens to protect themselves and their communities from attacks, particularly those attributed to bandits and "killer herders." He directly urged the Federal Government to ease restrictions on arms and ammunition, allowing Nigerians to acquire them for personal protection. "Government should liberalize the ownership of arms and ammunition to enable Nigerians procure arms for self-defence against gunmen and bandits," he asserted.

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many had become avenues for extortion of motorists.

Beyond the call for firearm liberalization, Okoko also voiced strong criticism regarding the numerous checkpoints operated by various security agencies throughout the South-East region. He alleged that many of these checkpoints have devolved into mechanisms for extorting money from motorists, rather than serving their intended security purposes. Okoko implored the leadership of these agencies to rein in their personnel, warning that the continued harassment and extortion could lead to public backlash.

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continued harassment and extortion of road users could provoke public backlash.

He identified the military, police, Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and some vigilante groups as frequently implicated in operating multiple checkpoints. Okoko noted that while checkpoints initially served as a post-civil war security measure, they have since expanded beyond their original scope, becoming a "financial burden for motorists." He further condemned the practice of customs officials repeatedly inspecting cargo already cleared at seaports, citing unnecessary delays and increased transportation costs. Okoko concluded by urging authorities to review security personnel deployment on highways, ensuring operations focus strictly on crime prevention and public safety, not illegal revenue generation.

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Since after the civil war, the police, army and navy mounted roadblocks to stop mischief-makers and separatist groups. Recently, however, other law enforcement agencies and even some unarmed personnel have turned road checkpoints into a financial burden for motorists, particularly in the South-East.