The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to amend the nation’s firearm regulations to enable responsible citizens to legally possess guns, pointing to the worsening insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states.
The appeal stemmed from a motion titled “Urgent need to address escalating insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States,” which detailed recent assaults on schools, places of worship, and rural settlements. The motion, introduced by Deputy Senate Leader Senator Lola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South), referenced the November 18 attack at Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, where two worshippers lost their lives and 38 others were kidnapped.
Senators called for swift federal intervention to halt the surge in bandit attacks, abductions, and violent incidents, noting that successive school kidnappings and repeated raids have compelled the shutdown of schools, including all 47 unity colleges nationwide, disrupting learning for thousands of students.
The Upper Chamber praised President Bola Tinubu for suspending overseas engagements to oversee security operations, which resulted in the rescue of 38 abductees in Kwara and 51 schoolchildren in Niger State.
The Senate further appealed to residents in the affected states and across the country to stay alert, work together, and assist security operatives while rejecting internal saboteurs who threaten national stability.
Lawmakers stressed that Nigeria’s firearm legislation must align with evolving security concerns, drawing parallels with over 175 nations where eligible citizens are legally permitted to own firearms.
