By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The President of the Oodua Progressive Care Initiative (OPCI), Dr. Maruff Olarewaju, has lamented the growing security concerns across Nigeria, saying the situation has reached a critical point, necessitating a comprehensive and innovative approach to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the OPCI President said the current state of affairs is alarming, troubling and unacceptable despite the humongous allocation of funds to the three tiers of government to tackle insecurity head long.

He said: “In our annual budget, allocation of funds to tackle the menace of banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery continues to escalate. The constitutional prohibition on firearm ownership by citizens appears to be ineffective in preventing the proliferation of illicit arms. It is evident that a rethink of our security paradigm is long overdue.

“Several questions remain unanswered. How do armed groups and individuals acquire firearms despite the legal restrictions? What are the lapses in our border control and customs procedures that allow for the smuggling of arms and ammunition? Where are our intelligence agencies, and why have they failed to provide actionable insights to combat these security threats? The disconnect between the huge sums allocated to security and the tangible results on the ground is stark.

“Communities in Plateau, Kwara, Niger, and Borno states have been ravaged by insecurity, forcing residents to flee their homes in fear of bandits and kidnappers. The presence of governors in these states has not mitigated the situation, raising questions about the efficacy of our current security architecture.”

In light of the foregoing, the OPCI President has proposed a radical shift in the approach to security,advocating We advocate the legalisation of firearm ownership to every citizen, as, according, to him, this measure would go a long way in empowering communities to take charge of their security, thereby reducing the vulnerability that has been exploited by armed groups.

“By granting citizens the right to bear arms, we can potentially create a deterrent effect against potential aggressors.

“Our proposal is grounded in the belief that an empowered citizenry can be a crucial component of our national security framework. By arming law-abiding citizens, we can enhance community security and reduce the incidence of crime;
provide citizens with a means of self-defense against armed aggressors, and potentially reduce the success rate of banditry and kidnapping operations.”

According to him, security challenges facing Nigeria demand bold and innovative solutions, adding that the OPCI proposal to legalise firearm ownership for citizens is a call to action aimed at addressing the current security impasse.

He added: “We urge President Asiwaju Bola Hammer Tinubu GCFR, and all other arms of government to consider this proposal and engage in a national dialogue on the way forward.”