Gov Radda to FG: Allow civilians to buy AK-47 like bandits
Katsina State’s governor, Dikko Radda, has called on the federal government to change the law so that citizens can legally purchase firearms for self-defense.
He made the remark yesterday during a media interview in Abuja, asking why citizens cannot purchase arms to protect themselves given the easy availability of firearms to criminals.
That’s a double-edged sword, for sure. Since we lack the high-tech weapons that these thugs possess, we cannot sit back and refuse to defend ourselves. We have the numbers, we have the enthusiasm and the commitment, and you should remember that if they are going for any expedition, it will be done in the same fashion as in Borno, through the Civilian Joint Task Force,” he stated.
They will be protected by heavily armed police and soldiers. Therefore, I believe it is a group effort. I believe that we are gradually adhering to the limits imposed by the law on our possessions.
We’re making progress in that direction and pushing for related reforms at the federal level. What hope do the law-abiding citizens have if a criminal can walk into a store and walk out with an AK-47, an RPG, and a whole arsenal?
It’s only fair to give them the same privilege. We’re attempting to hold it lawfully, while they’re holding it illegally. Why can’t the people have this and face the problems together with the government?
Governor Radda also stuck to his guns, claiming that talking to criminals is off limits.
If the bandits, however, were to “come out and say look, ‘we are dropping arms, let us sit down and talk,'” they might be reintegrated into society. However, I shall not approach the bandits and implore them to come to discussions.
