Amid growing concerns over unrelenting violence and bloodshed in Nigeria’s northern region, the Arewa Grassroot Leaders Assembly (AGLA) has thrown its weight behind the call for self-defence, urging the Federal Government to allow responsible citizens in rural communities to bear arms — specifically, the AK-47 — under strict regulation.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the President of the Assembly, Collins Onogu, said the deteriorating security situation in the North had reached a tipping point, with rural dwellers often left at the mercy of bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists.
“This is a grim reminder of the security challenges facing our nation,” Onogu said, as he lamented the scale of attacks in villages where men, women, and children are routinely killed or abducted without timely response from security agencies.
He called on the government to urgently review its approach to rural security, starting with the legalisation of firearms for self-defence.
“We demand that the government legalise the possession of AK-47s for self-defence in rural communities, with proper monitoring and regulation,” he declared.
Onogu emphasised that such a policy would not mean lawlessness but rather empower residents to protect themselves where the state has consistently failed to do so. He stressed the need for a coordinated system of licensing, training, and regulation to prevent misuse.
Beyond the push for firearms, the AGLA president urged the deployment of more police and military personnel to crisis-prone areas and called for the immediate formation of a special task force to go after those responsible for the violence.
“We propose that the government support community-led security initiatives, including community vigilante groups and neighbourhood watches,” he added.
Onogu warned that without decisive steps, the North risked further descent into lawlessness. He maintained that his group would not stay silent.
“AGLA will continue to monitor the situation and hold the government accountable for the safety and security of our people. We demand action, not rhetoric. The government must act now,” he concluded.
The press conference comes at a time when many communities in northern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara, Benue, and Plateau states, have seen a surge in deadly raids, mass abductions, and extortion by armed groups, leaving many residents displaced and desperate for safety.
