Uncontrolled firearms, poor policing fuelling killings by bandits — Okei-Odumakin

A human rights activist, Dr. Joe OkeiOdumakin, has said the proliferation of unlicensed firearms is responsible for the killings and worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

Dr. Odumakin spoke alongside Prof Dele Adetoye in Ado Ekiti, at the maiden edition of Comrade Bunmi Ojo Memorial Lecture.

Late Bunmi Ojo, a former personal assistant, to former Governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni, was shot dead a year ago at a football viewing centre in Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti by some unidentified gunmen.

Odumakin, who was represented by the General Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Ifeanyi Odili, also attributed the unwarranted killings in the country to poor policing.

“Another cause of his death is majorly traceable to poor policing in Nigeria because Nigeria is far below the United Nation’s standard of policing.

“Soon after the exit of the military and eventual return to democracy, firearms became a common commodity. People became so free to move around with guns, AK47, AK49 and pump action guns unlicensed.

“This catastrophe that befell Bunmi Ojo will continue to skyrocket in Nigeria until our leaders sit together, speak to each other from their subconscious and inner recesses of their minds, with a view to outlaw the arbitrary use of guns before, during and after political campaigns,” she said.

In his contribution Professor Adetoye called on the government to overhaul the security agencies to enable them protect the citizenry.

He also called on the government to come up with a policy that would improve crime prevention, detection and apprehension.