Arming Citizens Will Escalate Insecurity – IGP Warns
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has strongly opposed calls to permit Nigerian citizens to bear arms as a means to tackle the country’s growing security challenges. He cautioned that allowing widespread access to firearms would only worsen violence and deepen insecurity nationwide.
Speaking at the second Nigeria Democracy Week, organized by the National Democracy Stakeholders Group (NDSG) in collaboration with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, in Abuja, Egbetokun was represented by the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale.
The IGP emphasized that arming civilians is not the solution to Nigeria’s complex security problems. “You cannot solve violence through violence,” he stressed. “We must learn from countries that have taken this path and understand that the way forward is dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.”
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Addressing concerns over police conduct during elections, Egbetokun dismissed allegations that the police are involved in rigging. He reiterated that the police role is strictly to provide security and ensure peaceful elections. “We are not partisans. We are like umpires. Our duty is to maintain security; we do not vote, nor do we count votes. INEC and the people handle that,” he said.
SGF Akume, represented by Permanent Secretary Nadungu Gagare, highlighted that reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration are aimed at fostering long-term stability and inclusive economic growth. He noted that despite economic challenges, the government has embarked on structural reforms and improved cross-sector coordination to support national development priorities.
Dr. Kletsaint Akor, Chairman of NDSG, called on the government to use the mid-term period for genuine accountability and electoral reforms. “We must ensure that every vote counts and every citizen trusts the process,” he said, urging for electoral funding independence, transparent commissioner appointments, and strict sanctions for malpractice.
By PRNigeria
