MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL BUY GUNS - THE ORTOM'S SUGGESTION.

Ever since Nigeria started its own version of democracy, right from the time of the man on the hilltop mansion to the one who initiated the idea of amnesty, the country has had to battle with all sorts of civil unrest. From fighters for the emancipation for the Niger delta to the bloodthirsty ones in the north east that have been at logger heads with education and everything it represents, for about a decade now. 

Herdsmen clashes, Communal clashes between minority tribal groups, and occasional disturbances of small armed groups down south, all seems to serve as pointers to the fact that maybe the government itself is handicapped in dealing with insurgency in all the forms it has reared its head. Threatening to disrupt the Nigerian Project, if there is still something like that. 

Different methods of engagement have been deployed all to no avail. Now more than ever, the threats faced by the country seems to be on the increase. Back to the brief picture of the transition of government I have been trying to paint since I started writing. Well, the retired general came and rode effortlessly on the ineffectiveness of the administration he would later be succeeding. 

As expected, he made the promise of ensuring the complete annihilation of Boko Haram and other creeping heads of the hydra-headed monster, INSECURITY. Five (5) years gone now and we have only had the faux declaration that the dreaded terrorist group have been decimated. Yaayyyy!! Right, they have now been reduced to the capacity of them being able to only launch attacks on soft targets. 

 

But wait! these attacks on "soft targets" only seem to be on the increase. Sustained bombings and attacks in some places have only been attributed to be that of the last cry of a monster. While many are still of the the opinion that we may be witnessing a change in tactics. All these may just mean we might not be seeing an end to this crisis soon enough. 

As usual, many solutions have been touted to combat this trend. Among this was the call for the sack of service chiefs that have been heads of security for what seem like forever. Just maybe it is time for the injection of fresh ideas to combat insecurity that is fast becoming a normal occurrence, Seems no one is even listening. 

Lest we forget, there is that brewing crisis, one that is fast becoming a full blown, sectional, genocidal attacks in southern Kaduna. One the Mallam, seems to have no clue of. The increased wave of kidnappings all over, with its hotspots in different expressways all around is really a source of concern. These crisis has brought with it untold hardship, loss of lives and properties, mass relocations which has necessitated the setting up of IDP camps wherever necessary all over the country. 

To further paint the picture of the actual situation on ground, maybe we should go the statistical way. In the north east region alone, After over a decade of sustained conflicts between the non-state armed groups with different agendas and the Nigerian military, As said and evidenced by Luis Eguiluz, the MSF head of mission in Nigeria since the year 2017. 

Contrary to reports, the situation is only getting worse. The United Nations estimates that over two (2) million people have been displaced from their homes due to the violence; and more than double of that number depend on humanitarian aids to survive. Think about the economic impacts of this avoidable expenditure on a government that is not even prudent in spending. 

Shall we remember those that have been unfortunate enough to be living in areas under the influence of these non-armed groups. The sexual violence, hunger, and abuse normally associated with insecurity has not even been mentioned. In a paper written by Saska Brechenmacher on stabilizing the northeast after Boko Haram, for the Carnegie endowment for international peace. It was aptly stated that the Nigerian situation highlights the challenges of local-level stabilization efforts while still working with a host government that lacks coordination, capacity and commitment. 

In line with the title, The food basket of the nation has had its fair share of these security challenges. And just maybe this was what necessitated the statement from the state's commander in chief who suggested it was time for citizens to be allowed to own guns. This may sound comical, but coming from someone who has had to battle this onslaught, maybe it is really time we all start buying guns. More jobs for those who would own gun shops ( Just by the side). 

The Nigerian Security model may really need to incorporate this as part of its framework. Because, to be factual it is really too much. And as usual, it seems we are all numb to the pain; no one is that concerned, and we only feel like oh! it has happened again. Then we move on with our lives. Ortom further reiterated this suggestion just about 6 days ago, saying we might need to adopt drastic measures lest we are all just one hashtag away. 

The governor seemed livid when making the statement that it is high time the government licenses citizens to carry guns. It is sure basic human instinct to think twice before coming to attack those that are capable of defending themselves. Similar to this, a lawmaker had earlier called for the liberalization of gun control, especially for self defense. 

Although, as wild as the statement made by the commander in chief of the "food basket of the nation" might be, there are some other implications of licensing the use of guns for private individuals, or relaxing the laws on the possession of arms in Nigeria. 

In a bid to control the proliferation of small arms in the country, with the onus being on the state security agents to regulate the extent of possession, Prevent them from getting into the wrong hands. But can this be said of a country where Security agencies are more interested in taming protesters advocating for improved governance. 

It is non-negotiable, that every person has the right to life and the security of his or her property. (That non-binary nature, has not gotten here yet). This includes the right to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources. The adequate protection of this right is fundamental to the social, and overall well being of every person. 

With the current picture, it is evident that the increased rate of violence can be attributed to the increased availability and the abuse of ammunitions and firearms. The duty placed on the state by the constitution is non-negotiable. It is bounded by the fact that it must guarantee the security of the entire populace to reduce the need for the possession of arms for self-defense. 

In the light of this, Should the ortom's suggestion be taken seriously? should every Nigerian with the means make moves to buy licensed guns, and would the need for self-defense guarantee the safety of the entire populace or further degenerate it? 

Or Should this be a wake up call that we are fast disappearing down the abyss and the state should either wake up to its responsibilities of protecting the people  it has sworn to lead, before we start taking the laws in our hands. "Maybe we should all buy guns" The discussion should better continue in the comments.  

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