Nigerian State to Allow Individuals to Carry Guns Against Bandits

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Nigeria's Zamfara state will start issuing licences to individuals to carry guns to defend themselves against armed gangs of kidnappers causing havoc in the country's northwest, the state's commissioner for information said on Sunday.

Armed gangs are rife across Nigeria's northwest where they rob or kidnap for ransom, and violence has been increasing, where thinly stretched security forces often fail to stop the attacks.

The gunmen, known locally as bandits, operate from remote forests in the northwest and their deadly attacks and kidnappings, targeting villagers, farmers and travellers, have increased since the start of the year. Zamfara and neighbouring Kaduna are the most affected, authorities say.

Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, Zamfara commissioner for information said the state governor had directed the state police commissioner to issue 500 gun licences in each of the 19 emirates in the state to those wishing to defend themselves.

"Government is ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers to secure basic weapons for defending themselves," Dosara said in a statement.

Owning a gun in Zamfara needs permission from the state governor and state police commissioner.

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-06-26/nigerian-state-to-allow-individuals-to-carry-guns-against-bandits