Insecurity in Nigeria is real, rising, and deeply troubling. From Kaduna to Plateau, and from Benue, even down to the FCT, communities are plagued by kidnappings, banditry, and senseless killings. Amid this, former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.) recently stirred national debate when he told citizens to “rise and defend themselves.” His statement, made in the context of the worsening security in The Middle Belt and Northern regions, has been echoed by others. But while such calls for self-defence may sound like empowerment, they are, in truth, dangerous and could lead to more chaos, not less. More guns on the street do not equal more protection, they increase the risk of widespread violence.
When the state hints that people should take security into their own hands, it’s not just a cry of desperation, it is a quiet shift of responsibility. Security is not a favour; it is a constitutional obligation. Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution is clear: “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” This duty cannot be outsourced to untrained, unlicensed civilians.
Yet, voices like Danjuma’s imply otherwise. In contrast, leaders like Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal have taken a more cautious route. Lawal has emphasised strengthening security agencies and investing in local intelligence instead of promoting self-armament. Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa also warned that self-defence, if widely adopted, would lead to lawlessness and unmanageable violence. They are right.
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Legal Walls Around Guns
Nigeria’s laws on firearms are among the clearest in the criminal code. The Firearms Act (Cap F.28, LFN 2004) forbids the possession, manufacturing, or transfer of firearms without a licence. It doesn’t end there: the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act imposes mandatory prison terms—no less than 10 years for illegal possession. There are no grey areas. Even if you claim to be holding a gun for protection, without a permit, it is a crime. Period.
Numerous citizens have been arrested for carrying guns, even when their intention was self-defence. In July 2022, five vigilante members in Kogi State were arrested by police for being in possession of unlicensed weapons, despite claims they were defending their community. In Katsina, a man trying to repel bandits was jailed for holding a locally made pistol. These are not isolated cases. In the eyes of the law, armed self-defence without state approval is vigilantism, and it often ends in prison.
The Danger of the Slippery Slope
The argument for self-defence may seem logical: if no one will protect us, we must protect ourselves. But this idea overlooks what happens when weapons spread unchecked. More guns on the street often lead to more violence, accidental deaths, and revenge killings. The Central African Republic is a painful example. What began as “self-defence groups” in response to militant attacks spiralled into civil conflict, with civilian militias turning on one another and on innocent people.
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In the United States, states with “Stand Your Ground” laws—meant to empower citizens to act in self-defence—report significantly higher homicide rates. According to research from Oxford University, these laws are linked to 700 additional killings annually. The lesson: when everyone is armed, even minor disputes can turn deadly.
Psychology of Abandonment
There’s also a psychological cost. When leaders urge self-defence, they subtly shift the burden of state failure onto citizens. This taps into what psychologists call “responsibility shifting.” It pushes people into a corner where they feel abandoned and forced to act. Over time, this undermines trust in government institutions. It also breeds fear, paranoia, and ultimately, lawlessness.
Worse, it divides communities. If one group arms itself, another will follow. Neighbours begin to see each other not as fellow survivors, but as potential threats. Guns then become symbols of power, not protection. More guns on the street only escalate this tension.
What the Government Must Do Instead
Government cannot fold its arms and expect communities to solve what is fundamentally a structural and institutional problem. Here are key areas the state must not abandon:
1. Funding and Reforming Security Agencies: Nigeria’s police-to-citizen ratio remains below the UN recommendation. The government must increase recruitment, improve training, and ensure officers are well equipped.
2. Local Intelligence and Vigilance Groups: While civilians must not be armed randomly, the state can support community policing initiatives in structured ways. Hunters, vigilante groups, and traditional leaders can help with intelligence, if supervised by formal agencies.
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3. Justice and Accountability: Insecurity thrives where there is no justice. Prosecutions must be swift, fair, and consistent. Killings must not be dismissed as “unknown gunmen” incidents.
4. Gun Control Enforcement: The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) must do more to mop up illicit firearms. Smuggling routes must be blocked, and illegal dealers prosecuted.
5. Public Confidence: Above all, the government must communicate. Silence in the face of killings is interpreted as weakness. Clear updates, community engagement, and visible presence of security forces can restore hope.
Don’t Be Lured into Breaking the Law
Let’s be clear: calls for self-defence without legal backing are not just emotionally charged slogans—they are traps. Anyone who picks up a gun without proper licensing is breaking the law. Anyone who fires it, even in fear, can end up in prison—or worse, shot by security forces. What’s being packaged as empowerment may actually be a covert invitation into criminality.
Self-defence is a human instinct, yes. But in a nation of over 200 million people, scattered across regions of tension and mistrust, the mass possession of firearms is not a solution. It is a short road to civil disorder.
The state must never trade its duty for convenience. And citizens must resist the lure of the gun.
Because in the end, more guns on the street mean less safety, for everyone.
For feedback, contact: Jairus@themiddlebelt.ng
