Ex‑NBA Chairman Urges Government to Liberalise Gun Ownership for Self‑Defense

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA — Benjamin Chukwudi Okoko, former chairman of the Idemili Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, has urged the Federal Government to liberalise the ownership of arms and ammunition, so that law‑abiding Nigerians can defend themselves against bandits, gunmen and other criminal elements.

In response to the escalating insecurity nationwide, Okoko called on the government to permit responsible citizens to acquire firearms for self‑defence.

He said that such a measure would enable citizens to protect themselves and their communities from attacks by bandits and killer herders.

“Government should liberalise the ownership of arms and ammunition to enable Nigerians procure arms for self‑defence against gunmen and bandits,” he said.

Okoko also criticized the proliferation of checkpoints established by security agencies on roads throughout the South‑East, claiming that many have become avenues for motorists’ extortion.

He urged the leadership of the agencies involved to rein in their personnel, warning that ongoing harassment and extortion of road users could provoke public backlash.

Okoko named the military, police, Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and certain vigilante groups as agencies often accused of operating multiple checkpoints in the region.

He said that checkpoints first appeared in the South‑East as a security measure after the civil war, but have since expanded beyond their original purpose.

“Since after the civil war, the police, army and navy mounted roadblocks to stop mischief‑makers and separatist groups. Recently, however, other law enforcement agencies and even some unarmed personnel have turned road checkpoints into a financial burden for motorists, particularly in the South‑East,” he said.

He alleged that some officials exploit checkpoints to extort money from commercial and private vehicle operators under the pretext of routine security checks.

Okoko also criticized what he described as repeated inspections of cargo already cleared at seaports by customs officials, arguing that such practices create unnecessary delays and raise the cost of transportation and business operations.

“The constant checks on the roads waste valuable time for commuters and road users. They also contribute to economic losses through fuel consumption and delays in the movement of people and goods,” he said.

The legal practitioner