The Nigeria Police Force has once again stressed that civilians are not permitted to possess firearms, following the arrest of a man allegedly found with an AK-47 rifle.
The suspect, identified as Alhaji Tanko, was apprehended and paraded on Tuesday after authorities reportedly recovered the rifle along with 16 rounds of live ammunition. According to police reports, he claimed he obtained the weapon for self-protection after surviving two separate kidnapping incidents.
Police further revealed that the firearm was allegedly sourced from an individual identified as Yayafi, who is currently at large.
Speaking on the issue, authorities maintained that Nigerian law strictly prohibits the possession of high-powered weapons such as assault rifles and pistols by civilians, regardless of personal reasons.
“No matter how highly placed or wealthy you are, certain arms are prohibited,” a police official stated, emphasizing that owning such weapons constitutes a criminal offence.
Public Reactions
The incident has sparked intense debate online, with many Nigerians expressing frustration over insecurity and what they perceive as selective enforcement of the law:
“We are currently in a cycle where the law-abiding pay taxes for security, while the bandits receive payouts for peace.”
“Why not go after those bandits who display their rifles on social media?”
“They are always eager to come to the media like they have achieved something major.”
“What have you done about kidnappings happening every day? Person buy arms to protect himself, una dey arrest am?”
“There was a meeting where some people were openly carrying assault rifles—why weren’t they arrested? Or does this law only apply to law-abiding citizens?”
Bigger Picture
This case highlights a growing tension in Nigeria:
- Rising insecurity, especially kidnappings
- Citizens losing confidence in state protection
- Legal restrictions that leave little room for armed self-defence
While authorities continue to insist on strict compliance with firearm laws, many citizens argue that the realities on the ground are pushing people toward desperate measures.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
