Insecurity: Cleric faults call for civilian firearms

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A Lagos-based cleric, Adebola Odubela, has cautioned Nigerians against embracing calls for citizens to bear arms amid rising insecurity in the country.

Speaking at a press conference heralding the 20th Annual Peniel Revivals Open-Air Crusade held in Lagos on Monday, Odubela warned that such a move could worsen the country’s challenges.

Reacting to a viral video in which a cleric urged Nigerians to arm themselves in response to bandit attacks, Odubela, who is the Lagos District Sacred Cherubim and Seraphim Council Chairman, said the idea was dangerous and could lead to misuse of weapons.

“What is important is that we should preach the word of God to our people. All these problems are temporary. If you say we should carry arms, yes, we may want to carry arms, but people would use them against themselves for no just reasons. I don’t subscribe to all of us carrying guns. This is a very sensitive matter, and we have to be careful the way we talk about it.”

He urged religious leaders and citizens to focus on appealing to the government to step up its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.

“The foremost responsibility of the government is to protect lives and property. But where this is lacking, can we be worshipping in the church in fear that we can be attacked? As Christian bodies, we should continue to pray. We can only appeal to the government to expose these terrorists. Some people know them, and it is disheartening, but I know it is a matter of time. They are not strangers.”

The convener, Abraham Oyewole, said that the crusade would take place between December 3 and 5 at Amoo Playing Ground, Oke Koto, in the Agege area of the state.

Oyewole also announced details of the forthcoming crusade themed “Unavoidable Assignment,” drawn from 1 Corinthians 9:16.

He said the programme marks two decades of consistent revival encounters marked by testimonies of healing, deliverance and spiritual transformation.

“For 20 years, Peniel Revivals has stood as a beacon of hope in Agege and beyond. We appreciate partners, volunteers, security agencies and the Oke Koto community for their support. “This year, we are believing in God for even greater dimensions of glory,” he added.

Dayo, a Sociology graduate, covers City and Crime on the Metro Desk. He is a resourceful, self-motivated and result-driven journalist.

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