Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, alongside other members of the Coalition of Nigerian Patriots, have called on the federal government to authorize law-abiding citizens to possess firearms for self-protection amid rising insecurity.
The group made this demand during a press conference held in Abuja on Friday, expressing deep concern over continued violence in several states, including Benue, Plateau, Kwara, and parts of the North-Central and North-West regions.
Their call comes in the wake of a recent legislative proposal by Senator Ned Nwoko, who introduced a bill to allow private firearm ownership, citing the need for self-defense in the face of growing threats and the overstretched capacity of the Nigeria Police Force.
Dalung condemned the unchecked attacks, pointing to recent violent incidents where communities were left devastated. He expressed outrage over a viral video in which individuals, reportedly from a Fulani group, admitted to carrying out the killings and issued ultimatums to the government.
He said, “When people openly confess to committing such acts and go unpunished, it sends a dangerous message. If the government cannot fulfill its constitutional duty to protect lives and property, then citizens should be granted the right to protect themselves.”
He further criticized the Presidency for what he described as a slow and inadequate response to the ongoing killings, accusing the government of underestimating the scale of the crisis.
Speaking at the same event, activist Deji Adeyanju said the country’s diverse ethnic makeup and overstretched security resources make it crucial for citizens to have legal avenues for self-defense.
“If we truly believe the police can no longer meet our security needs, then we must empower citizens to defend themselves,” Adeyanju stated. “An armed population would be a strong deterrent to attackers.”
Sowore, a former presidential candidate, said most Nigerians have lost faith in the security agencies. He described the country’s security system as ineffective and warned that the sophisticated weapons used in recent attacks suggest the involvement of powerful backers.
“We can’t continue to pretend this isn’t happening,” Sowore said. “The scale of the violence and the weapons being used point to something more than ordinary crime. It’s time for Nigerians to prepare for self-defense. Today it’s Benue or Plateau—tomorrow it could be anywhere.”
The coalition urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further loss of lives, warning that continued inaction may lead to widespread unrest.
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