By Solomon Runsewe & Damilola Akinmolayan

|

Recently, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed said herders’ AK47 is for protection, why can’t other Nigerians be licensed to bear arms for self defense too, is it advisable for Nigerians to be licensed to carry firearms to protect themselves too?
The Hope Classics went to town to speak with lawyers on the legality of the action.

I want to believe that Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed was quoted out of context. I don’t want to believe he actually made such a reckless and unguided utterances capable of worsening the insecurity palaver pervading the entire country presently. How could a right thinking individual, a–fortiori–a governor and chief security officer of a state make such a reckless statement?
By law, citizens are licensed to carry light firearms such as locally made single barrel or double barrel gun or at most pump action guns for gaming and security purposes. AK 47 and other firearms in its category are assault rifles that are meant for armed forces, the police and other paramilitary forces that are permitted to use it. It should not be a kind of firearm to be carried by anybody who are not members of the military and other paramilitary outfits.
As a matter of fact, even the original maker of AK 47, Mikhail Kalashnikov once said he regretted inventing the notorious weapon of mass destruction. This is to show you how deadly the weapon is. So for a governor who swore to uphold the Constitution to say that Fulani herdsmen should carry AK 47 for protection and there is nothing anybody can do about it is to say he is an anarchist to borrow the words of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State. A lot of people have come out to condemn this reckless statement made by the Bauchi State Governor.
Some posit that if he could support the herdsmen to carry AK 47, then other citizens should be allowed to do same while carrying out their legitimate businesses too. Is that not an invitation to anarchy? I don’t want us to take the statement of the governor with levity.
In my humble opinion, Governor Bala Mohammed made the statement with a conviction of his Fulani supremacist mentality which is common to an average Fulani man. They have the same mindset that Nigeria and by implication all lands in Nigeria belong to them.
They have the mindset that they are first class citizens in the country and are therefore above the law. This is wrong.
Whoever is carrying AK 47 not being a member of the military or other paramilitary outfits is a criminal and should be treated as such by the law irrespective of whether he is a Fulani man or an Ijaw man. The backlash that followed the irresponsible statement of the governor made him to issue a press statement recently where he denied encouraging the herders to be carrying AK 47. This is to show that he has accepted responsibility that his statement is capable of setting the nation on fire.

First and foremost, I would want you to understand that this is a democratic country, where there is freedom to everything, but note that there isn’t freedom to be armed not to talk of killing.
Bauchi Governor saying herders’ weapons are for protection doesn’t mean it is a law because if you wish to know, no herder will ever come outside his territory while the paramilitary or military will stay put and watch.
What led to Ibadan crisis few days ago?
An Hausa man mistakenly poured pepper water on a Yoruba pregnant woman.
As normal, the woman became angry and insulted the Hausa man.
But instead of the Hausa man saying sorry, rather, he embarrassed the woman.
At the course of the ill entanglement, a Yoruba man decided to interfere but he did angrily based on norms.
This caused another fracas in which the Hausa man hit the Yoruba man with a local ring, the man fell down and died immediately.
What happened after wasn’t funny at all.
Bauchi Governor knows what he is saying, because none of the armed herders will ever cross his boundary.
I am not saying that you can’t have license to arms and weapons. In as much you’re of the age limit and you have the right connection and also pay the dues. But mind you, being armed is like knowing your day of death. More so, let’s note one thing, this isn’t a fight of the citizens but of God.
Because the federal government herself knows the right solutions to the problems and attacks. See a small country like Chad was able to chase them away and reclaim their land
Gen. Sani Abacha once said and I quote “any terrorist group/activities that last more than 24 hours is government sponsored.”
Our government knows the solution to this trauma.

The level of insecurity in Nigeria is alarming to the effect that it is advisable for the government to licence the citizens to bear arms in other to protect themselves from the perpetrators of the heinous crimes whose activities are near invasion of the entire country.
It has been stated in the provision of special firearms act.
When there is mutual fear, there will be mutual respect in that, if an attacker is aware that there will be a defence, he will have a rethink.

It is illegal and against public interest for anyone to advocate that herdsmen should carry arm for self protection.
I want to believe Bauchi Governor lost touch and communication with himself when he said herdsmen should carry arms.
We should not stress ourselves about his statement as it cannot see the light of the day.
In everything we do as a nation, there are two factors that guide promulgation of law and they are:
Public interest and Public policy.
Any law that is against public interest and policy is a bad law and cannot stand.
As it is, licensing guns for Nigerians in the guise of self defense is against public interest and policy so, it should be resisted.

In my own opinion, it is not advisable for the federal government to licence all Nigerians to carry gun as we are not mature to do that, it can bring about war in the nation.
If you look at the United States of America, still finding it difficult to control the uses of arms in the country.
It is my belief, Nigeria is not yet mature to license her citizens to carry firearms, not even in a lawless country we are today.