Mental wellness, local govt certification: Ned Nwoko reveals criteria for Nigerians to carry guns

Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing the Delta North Senatorial District has been at the forefront of the bill that seeks to legalize fire arm in Nigeria.

The Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) started his campaign after the death of his Senior Legislative Assistant in 2023 by kidnappers. The proposed bill on self-defence and firearms ownership regulation is yet to get its first reading at the Upper Chamber.

Granting license to Nigerians have dominated public discussion and has sparked diverse opinions and discussion that predominantly fall into two camps , one in opposition and the other in support.

Speaking in an interview on Arise TV on February 1, Nwoko explained his bill will allow Nigerians to bear arms for self-defense following the spat of insecurity in the north and some part of the southeast.

He said there is a desperate need for innocent Nigerians to protect themselves from the rising insecurity in the country while adding the police are ill-funded and lacks the requisite man-power needed to secure Nigerians.

“My bill is predicated on the lawlessness that is currently pervading the nation. We all have experienced it or we know someone that has experienced it. We have come to a point in this nation where we have to make an honest admission to ourselves which is that the security agents cannot really protect lives and properties as stated in the constitution. The common man is left to his fate. He does not get any kind of support from the police and the police force is unequipped, ill-funded, not capable of discharging those onerous duties and that is the fact,” the member of the senate committee on police matters said.

He said the security measures have not been sufficient in safeguarding the various communities pointing out that allowing law-abiding citizens to possess firearms could potentially provide a sense of security and a means to protect themselves and their families from immediate threats.

“The prevailing insecurity in Nigeria has become a pressing concern for all conscientious citizens, leaving many questioning the root causes that led to this dire situation where safety feels elusive. Instead of abating, the issue continues to worsen, spiralling out of control.

With the bill yet to get its first reading, the Senator outlines strategies measures that would ensure the smooth running of the bill.

1) Every local government must have a gun shooting school

A strict measure that's been proposed alongside the bill is every local government must have a gun shooting school. Individuals who want to possess a gun must be trained on how to use a gun. He proposed the school must be run and owned by former military officers.

“When you have gone through the process and you are able to use the arms," he said.

2) Community Leaders must certify the ownership of the gun

Senator Nwoko proposed Emir, Obas and other community leaders must be able to give a letter of certification to confirm individuals are from the particular place.

3) Doctors and local government certification of gun holders

Two doctors must certify the mental stability of individuals before they are fit to bear arms.

“Next is your local government chairman who will also confirm that you are from that place and then you go to the DPO of that locality who will also confirm that you don’t have any criminal record," he said.