Rhodes-Vivour urges Nigeria to license civilian firearms as kidnappings rise nationwide, sparking debate over self-defence, security gaps, and gun-control laws.
Amid a worrying rise in kidnappings across Nigeria, former Lagos State governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has renewed the call for the government to permit citizens to legally carry firearms for self-defence. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, he argued that the escalating wave of abductions in multiple states has left many Nigerians feeling exposed and without reliable protection.
His remarks follow a series of high-profile kidnappings in Kwara, Ogun, and Niger States including the abduction of 315 students and teachers in Niger. Rhodes-Vivour stressed that such tragedies highlight the growing inability of overstretched security agencies to respond swiftly or maintain long-term presence in volatile communities. According to him, criminal attacks often resume as soon as police or military personnel withdraw, deepening public distrust in the nation’s security framework.
Nigeria currently operates under the Firearms Act of 1959, one of Africa’s strictest gun-control laws, which only allows limited civilian access to non-automatic weapons under tightly regulated conditions. Rhodes-Vivour believes that a controlled licensing system with structured training and vetting could empower responsible citizens to protect themselves where state security coverage remains inadequate.
The proposal has, however, deepened national debate. Supporters argue that self-defence rights are necessary in an era of rampant kidnappings and rural attacks. Critics warn that wider firearm access could inflame violence, escalate communal disputes, and worsen crime rates.
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As insecurity reaches alarming levels, Rhodes-Vivour’s comments have reignited discussions about whether Nigeria should rethink its decades-old firearm policy or double down on strengthening traditional security institutions. The debate continues to divide policymakers, security analysts, and citizens across the country.