Adebayo Adenrele
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has challenged the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja’s statement regarding his disapproval of Nigerians to bear arms to protect themselves from terrorists and other criminals.
Falana in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme said that it is not fair to say that Nigerians have no right to bear arms, emphasising that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees self-defence.
Falana said, “In the first place, we have to discuss the right and examine the propriety. It is not correct to say that Nigerians have no right to bear arms.
“Penal Code applicable in the North and the Criminal Code applicable in the South recognise the right to self-defence.
“In other words, if somebody aims a gun at me and I can quickly grab another gun, I have the right to shoot,”