Allow Citizens To Use Guns – VeryDarkMan Tells FG

Social media activist,  Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has urged the Federal Government to allow citizens greater access to firearms as part of measures to address Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Otse made the call on Tuesday while speaking as a panellist at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He argued that the size of Nigeria’s security forces was inadequate to effectively protect a population of more than 200 million people, saying citizens should be empowered to defend themselves.

“They need to make provisions for citizens to protect themselves. Make it easy for us to get guns because right now they are understaffed. They can’t protect everybody,” he said.

Otse questioned the capacity of the police and military to provide adequate security across the country, noting that their combined personnel strength was less than one million.

“How many are there? The police and the military are not up to a million protecting over 200 million people,” he said.

Despite his call for easier access to firearms, Otse acknowledged the importance of the security agencies and called for better welfare for personnel.

He said security personnel were more likely to perform effectively if their welfare was improved, warning that neglecting them could undermine their commitment to protecting citizens.

“Until we take care of them properly, they will keep on turning on us,” he said.

A police officer who participated in the panel discussion also backed calls for improved welfare, saying better working conditions could motivate security personnel to perform their duties more effectively.

The officer, however, stressed the need for greater accountability in the management of funds allocated to security agencies, particularly procurement.

He called for transparency in government procurement processes to ensure that funds earmarked for equipment, welfare and other operational needs were properly utilised.

Otse also addressed the role of Fulani communities in Nigeria’s security situation, arguing that their extensive communication networks could be useful in efforts to combat insecurity.

He alleged that the networks enable information to move rapidly across communities and borders.

Speaking about attacks in Benue State, Otse sought to distinguish between Fulani residents of the state and those he alleged travel from outside the state to attack communities.

“The Fulani in Benue don’t attack the people in Benue. The Fulanis that come to attack are Fulanis from outside,” he said.

He further alleged that firearms were being transported through bush routes across states with the assistance of corrupt officials.

Otse claimed that some officials facilitate the movement of weapons and money through remote routes, while also alleging that Fulani groups have extensive knowledge of the bush paths used for such movements.

Reacting to questions over why he was invited, VDM said his critics may have missed the point of the session.

“There has been a lot of debate about why I was invited to this NBA conference. I’m not here to teach you people law; I’m here to share experience,” he said.

He contended that the discussion went beyond legal arguments, noting that insecurity has reached even members of the judiciary.

“This is not a topic of ‘may I, my lord’ because your lords are being kidnapped,” he added.