In contradict to President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to security services to shoot any civilian bearing arms, the House of Representatives is pushing for a Bill for an Act to permit Nigerians from the age of 18 to carry arms for self-defence.
A Bill to that effect, entitled, “Firearms Amendment Bill”, sponsored by Rep. Adejoro Adeogun, states in Section 2, Subsection 3, that “Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), a person shall be entitled to the grant of a license or permit under this Act if, at the time of application, the person: at least, 18 years of age”, and “has a psychological evaluation certificate from a government hospital not more than six months, has a vision quality certificate from a government hospital not more than six months, has a police clearance certificate not more than 12 months, has a rifle club membership of at least six months and a firearms proficiency certificate issued by the club, and has a national identification number”.
The Bill also demands that the bearer, “Has a National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)”, adding that “The Inspector General of Police, shall maintain a manual and an e-register of such permits in force”.
The Bill also states that “The Inspector General of Police may, with the consent of the Governor of the State, grant a permit to any person to carry on the business of manufacture and repair of the firearms referred to in Part III of the Schedule to this Act”.
The bill seeks a jail sentence of at least, two years for offences to the law.
“Section 35 (2) of the Principal Act, is amended by substituting for the words, N1,000 or imprisonment for two years, the words N75,000 or imprisonment of not less than two years”.
