APC Governor Dikko Radda Advocates for Nigerians’ Right to Bear Arms for Self-Protection.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has proposed that Nigerians should be allowed to purchase sophisticated weapons like AK-47 and RPG for their personal protection against the threat of bandits. He shared this perspective during a media chat held in Abuja on Friday, October 20.
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Governor Radda emphasized that governors should not shoulder the blame for the security challenges affecting their states, asserting that they lack the authority to command the military forces. Instead, he called on the federal government, led by Bola Tinubu, to play a more pivotal role in safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians.
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He went on to detail the measures his administration has taken to combat banditry, including the establishment of a ‘community watch corps’ working in conjunction with the military.
In his words, “We are talking about the lives of over 10 million people, not a single individual. No single individual is more important than the lives of 10 million people or the life of an innocent person in the village. We cannot remain passive and refuse to protect ourselves because we lack the sophisticated arms that these bandits possess. We have the numbers, the determination, and the resolve.”
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Governor Radda stressed that just like in Borno with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), individuals wishing to protect their communities should be permitted to do so, with the support of the police and well-armed military forces. He highlighted the need for a coordinated and united effort to tackle the security challenges.
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The governor pointed out the disparity between illegal possession of arms by bandits and the lawful acquisition of arms for self-defense by citizens, questioning why the government wouldn’t allow people to possess these arms and face the challenges they encounter.
He expressed his aversion to negotiations with bandits but kept the door open for a potential reintegration program if they willingly abandon arms and seek a peaceful resolution. Governor Radda emphasized that while these individuals are a part of society, they cannot be shielded if they choose the path of criminality.
This perspective on the right to bear arms for self-defense has ignited a crucial debate on the role of the government in providing security for its citizens and their ability to protect themselves within the confines of the law.
