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

According to Femi Falana, SAN, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Nigerians are entitled to keep and bear arms for self-defence.

Falana claimed that Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, had taken the wrong stand on Nigerians carrying guns.

After the Christmas Eve attacks on several villages in Plateau State, Lagbaja said that Nigerians had no constitutional right to own and bear arms.

Falana asserted that in order to possess firearms, Nigerians must obtain a licence.

On Wednesday, Falana spoke on Channels Television’s Sunrise Breakfast, saying: “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.”

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