In a nation grappling with surging crime and insecurity, Senator Ned Nwoko’s recent call for legalized firearms for Nigerian citizens has sparked intense debate. Representing the Delta North Senatorial District, Nwoko has once again advocated for arming Nigerians, proposing it as a solution to the growing wave of violence plaguing the country.

During an appearance on Channels Television, Nwoko defended a proposed bill that would grant citizens the right to bear arms for self-defense. According to him, empowering law-abiding Nigerians with firearms could serve as a strong deterrent against criminals. “If Nigerians begin to bear arms, criminality will be reduced,” he asserted.

Nwoko’s stance isn’t just political—it’s personal. He shared a harrowing experience from November last year, when his Senior Legislative Aide was brutally kidnapped and killed. Recounting the tragic event, Nwoko described the night his aide’s residential estate was stormed by kidnappers, who went from house to house. When they arrived at his aide’s door, the aide instructed his wife to hide with their children. He confronted the intruders, hoping to defuse the situation, but was abducted and later found dead.

For Nwoko, this tragedy highlights the urgent need for citizens to have the means to defend themselves. “If my aide or others in that community had firearms, those kidnappers might have thought twice before attacking,” he argued.

The proposal remains divisive, sparking a nationwide conversation about the best ways to address Nigeria’s security crisis. As citizens weigh in, the question looms large: Could legalizing firearms for self-defense truly curb crime, or would it only lead to greater unrest?