A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, on Thursday visited Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, who is popularly known as Sunday Igboho, at his residence in Ibadan where he canvassed the position that Nigerians should be licensed to carry sophisticated arms like AK-47 if Fulani herdsmen are permitted to secure themselves with the same type of weapon.
For Fani Kayode it makes no sense for the herdsmen to be armed while the rest of Nigerians including farmers who suffer incessant attacks from herdsmen cannot carry arms.
He said, “The Bauchi State Governor said a few days ago that Fulani herdsmen should be allowed to carry AK-47, but I disagree with him on that, but that is his own opinion. If you go by that principle, it makes absolute sense that if Fulani herdsmen are allowed to carry AK-47 to defend their cows and their lives if they feel threatened, then it is also logical that farmers, local people and each one of us to also have that right to defend ourselves against Fulani herdsmen or against those seeking to come and kill us.
“I am totally behind that and I like that. Why not, Americans have that right. If we had that long time ago the killings we are witnessing now would not have the kind of atrocities being committed all over the country.
“Insecurity is not limited to the South-West; you will be surprised at what is going on in the North. But the best way is for the government to rise up and defend us; that is why we pay them. “
According to the former minister, another option to reduce mindless killings of law-abiding Nigerians is for the government to permit individuals to bear arms.
The former minister said since the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd), also implored Nigerians to defend themselves against kidnappers and killers, they should be allowed to carry sophisticated weapons to defend themselves effectively.
