Njoku says Nigeria is yet to recover from the menace caused by the proliferation of small arms
Major-General Elias Njoku (retd), Interim Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSAN), has stated that despite Nigeria’s deepening security challenges — including kidnappings, banditry and terrorist attacks — the country is not yet ready to allow private citizens to bear arms for self-protection.
According to him, Nigeria is still grappling with the dangers posed by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which has fuelled unrest across several parts of the country.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday alongside members of his interim management team, Njoku said calls for the licensing of firearms for private individuals were emotional reactions that failed to consider the long-term implications.
“Those calling for licensing of arms for private individuals are speaking out of the spur of the moment,” he said. “They don’t know the consequences. We have not gotten to that stage yet. Even as licensed private security practitioners, we are not allowed to carry arms because a process has to be followed and the right conditions created.”
Njoku explained that in countries such as South Africa, Dubai, Gambia and Kenya — where private security operatives are permitted to carry firearms — the security landscape is less complex and threats are easier to identify.
“In those countries, they do not face the type of asymmetric security challenges we deal with here. It is easier to know the enemy or the threat you are facing and respond appropriately,” he noted.
He said Nigeria must first strengthen its collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and improve training standards before any future review of firearms policy.
“Perhaps in the future, at the appropriate time, a policy shift may happen, but not now,” he added. “We have visited Kenya, Gambia and South Africa to study their systems.”
According to him, any future reform must be carried out in close partnership with the NSCDC, which regulates private security operations, as well as the Ministry of Interior.
“A joint committee is already working in this direction, and after their recommendations, a pilot scheme may emerge,” he said.
“For now, no private guard is allowed to bear arms, but in the coming days, you will see a new wave in the private security architecture of Nigeria.”