The killing of retired General Rabe by bandits has reignited calls for President Bola Tinubu to allow ordinary Nigerians to own rifles for self-defence. An analyst argues that the current security strategy is failing, leaving citizens helpless while criminals wield military-grade weapons.
General Rabe's Death Exposes Security Failure
General Rabe, a former military spokesman, was abducted and killed by bandits. The analyst notes that if Rabe had possessed a rifle, he might have died a more dignified death. Instead, he was taken like a chicken and slaughtered by rag-tag bandits, while the nation wallowed in utter helplessness.
Government Hypocrisy on Security
The analyst points out that President Tinubu withdrew policemen from politicians, yet Minister Wike still moves around in a Rolls Royce with a battalion of policemen. This double standard, the analyst argues, shows that Tinubu cannot protect citizens and shows neither anger nor remorse. The president must allow people to protect themselves.
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed's Ordeal Highlights Government Incompetence
Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a special adviser to President Tinubu, shared the story of his nephew's kidnapping. The bandits demanded a ransom of ₦175 million, brand new motorcycles, and hard drugs. The captives spent 36 days in the forest. Despite the government's involvement, the family had to raise the ransom themselves. The government knew the location of the bandits, yet they got away with the murder, kidnapping and ransom.
State Policing Not a Panacea
The analyst criticises Tinubu's proposal for state policing, arguing that without a reformed federal police, state police units will be as wretchedly funded and trained as the federal police. The proper process would have been to reform, reorient and re-equip the federal police first, then duplicate that model at the state level.
Three-Pronged Strategy Proposed
The analyst recommends a three-pronged strategy:
- Political front: Set politics aside and pursue genuine national unity. Travel to affected regions, listen to grievances, and lead negotiations instead of allowing communities to make humiliating peace deals with bandits.
- Military and security front: Re-equip the armed forces with modern technology, especially drones for surveillance and targeted elimination of bandit camps. Reconsider the quality of mercenaries and special operators employed.
- Choke the criminal economy: Outlaw ransom payments, beginning with government officials. The endless flow of money into bandit coffers sustains the kidnapping industry.
Legalise Rifle Ownership for Self-Defence
The analyst argues that the law prohibiting citizens from keeping rifles was good in its time, but times have changed radically. Criminals already possess military-grade weapons, while law-abiding citizens are handcuffed by the law. The government should vet responsible citizens and communities and allow them to buy and own rifles for their defence. This, the analyst says, is where meaningful change must begin.
The analyst acknowledges risks: a carefully regulated liberalisation of rifle ownership could lead to isolated abuses or mass shootings. Hiring better foreign expertise has complications. Refusing ransoms may provoke initial retaliatory killings. But the present situation is already intolerable. The horses have bolted, and the state cannot continue to handcuff the law-abiding people it was meant to protect.
