The Labour Party (LP) 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has opined that the Federal Government should consider licensing firearms if it cannot ensure citizens’ safety.

Naijaonpoint reports that Rhodes-Vivour’s comment is coming against the backdrop of the recent abductions and rising insecurity in the country.

In an interview on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief Rhodes-Vivour stated that the issue of insecurity is not peculiar to the north, referencing recent abductions in the western part of the country.

According to him, government failures could push citizens to defend themselves, stressing that short-term government actions will not stop people from seeking long-term self-protection.

He said, “This is not just about the north. We have seen abductions in Kwara and Ogun States over the weekend. Destruction of institutions and the loss of public trust make people lose hope in government.

“I’m talking about this situation now because of the failure of the government that we found ourselves in, and in this failure, if the government cannot sit up, then they should start considering licensing firearms.”

Speaking further, Rhodes-Vivour stated that asking citizens to remain helpless is wickedness, especially when the governments fail to protect them.

He urged the government to honour its obligations to protect its citizens.