Senate Seeks Review of Firearms Law to Allow Nigerians Own Guns

• The Senate has urged the Federal Government to review Nigeria’s firearm laws to allow responsible citizens legally own guns, citing worsening insecurity across Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states.

The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to review the nation’s firearm laws to permit responsible citizens to legally own guns, saying the measure has become necessary as insecurity intensifies across parts of the country.

The resolution followed a motion titled “Urgent Need to Address Escalating Insecurity in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger States,” sponsored by Deputy Senate Leader Lola Ashiru (APC, Kwara South). The motion drew attention to the November 18 attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Eruku, in Kwara State’s Ekiti Local Government Area, where gunmen killed two worshippers and abducted 38 others.

Senators warned that banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks on schools, worship centres, and rural communities have continued to spiral, forcing mass school closures— including all 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide — and disrupting the education of thousands of children.

The Upper Chamber commended President Bola Tinubu for suspending foreign trips to coordinate security operations, efforts they said contributed to the rescue of 38 abductees in Kwara and 51 students in Niger State.

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Lawmakers also urged communities across the affected states — and the country at large — to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and expose internal collaborators aiding criminal networks.

The Senate argued that Nigeria’s outdated firearm laws must now reflect the reality of the nation’s security challenges, noting that over 175 countries legally permit responsible citizens to own guns for protection.