Plateau killings: Nigerians’ve right to bear arms in self defence – Falana replies Army chief

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, has said Nigerians have the right to bear arms in self-defense.

Falana said the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja’s stance on Nigerians bearing arms was incorrect.

Following the attack on some villages in Plateau State on Christmas Eve, Lagbaja had said Nigerians have no right to bear arms.

However, Falana said Nigerians need to obtain a licence to bear arms.

Featuring on Channels Television’s Sunrise Breakfast on Wednesday, Falana said: “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 in the North and the criminal code applicable in the South recognises the right to self-defence.

“In other words, if someone aims a gun at me, and I can quickly grab another gun, I have the right to shoot.

“But you are required to apply for the licence first.

“I am just talking of the right to self-defence which is also guaranteed by the Constitution.”