The House of Representatives on Thursday called on President Buhari to immediately sign into law the bill which seeks to establish National Commission against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons with the view to curb the influx of illegal weapons into the country.
The lawmakers who gave the charge during the debate on a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje also urged President Buhari to rescind the Executive Order which seeks to remove, revoke and banish all firearms certificates and licenses throughout the country.
In her lead debate, the lawmaker expressed grave concern over unabated insecurity challenges which led to the death of thousands of innocent citizens, resulting from terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes across the country.
She further noted that insecurity which was hitherto confined to the North East and North Central states have spread to the North Western States and all other parts of the country.
She equally noted that in response to the local and international outcry and concerns for Nigeria security situation, Mr. President signed an Executive Order to remove, revoke and banish all gun certificates and licenses throughout the federation.
Worried by the development, Elendu-Ukeje argued that the omnibus order targets legal gun owners and their guns without institutional actionable policy or plan to mop up small arms and light weapons that are at the center of these crimes.
According to her,
“the House is convinced that the high number of illegal guns is responsible amongst other factors for the increase in crime”.
Speaking in support of the motion, Hon Edward Pwajork said that the President should only go after those who go about with unlicensed weapons and those with valid licenses.
He said that the Executive Order signed by the President would only exacerbate the level of insecurity in the country.
Also in his contribution, Hon. Sunday Adepoju stated that the security agencies should ensure that all ammunition outside the legally licensed ones were recovered.
On his part, Hon. Pally Iriase, Deputy Chief Whip said that the insecurity in the land was so pervasive and so government should take proactive measures to address the challenge.
He noted that the cardinal objectives of governance “is the security of lives and properties” and added that the timing of the Executive Order was wrong.
Consequently, the House presided by the Speaker Hon. Yakubu Dogara put the matter to a voice vote which was overwhelmingly voted for by the lawmakers.
To this end, the House urged President Buhari to
“sign into law the Bill on the Establishment of a (National) Commission against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons which is not only a domestic law but also a treaty obligation so as to help curb the inflow of illegal weapons that had been used in the theater of wars.”
The Green Chamber also urged
“President Buhari to, in the interest of the Nigerian people who are left vulnerable to the activities of mindless criminals, terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, to please reverse that decision as it strips the people of the rights to life and self-defense.”
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