Human rights lawyer Femi Falana says Nigerians have the right to carry firearms.

Nigeria’s chief of army staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, had suggested there would be anarchy if Nigerians were allowed to carry firearms.

“I do not support that. I think that is a call for anarchy,” said Mr Lagbaja during a Channels TV programme on Sunday.

But Mr Falana disagreed.

“In the first place, it is not correct to say Nigerians have no right to bear arms. Apart from the fact that the penal code applicable to the North and the criminal code applicable to the South recognises the right to self-defence,” the rights advocate stated in an interview on Wednesday with the TV station.

“In the first place, we have to discuss the rights and proceed to examine the propriety,” Mr Falana explained. “In other words, if someone aims a gun at me, and I can quickly grab another gun, I have the right to shoot.”

While clarifying whether or not the law allows one to bear guns, he emphasised that one needs to first apply for a licence, pointing out the demands of the constitution regarding self-defence.

“I am just saying the right to self-defence which is also guaranteed by the constitution. All I am not allowed to do is not use a force that is not proportional to the threat. 

“In other words, If you are going to hit me with a cane, I must not go for a gun, which is not proportional,” Mr Falana added.

In 2022, the House of Representatives said it would consider creating a centre for the coordination, control and proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

The consideration followed the recommendation of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence as a measure to help advance the war against insecurity within communities and the larger society.

Prior to that, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons warned Nigerians against acquiring weapons illegally.