The Senate on Tuesday made a move to ban carrying of illegal fire arms in the country and demanded stiffer punishments for anyone who bears such arms.
The red chamber said the move would checkmate all forms of criminal activities in the country.
The call was made by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his contribution to a debate on a bill titled: ‘The Firearms Act CAP F28 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021.’
The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Uba Sani, representing Kaduna Central region, seeks stiffer penalty for persons in possession of firearms without valid license and destruction of arms illegally imported into the country.
According to the Senate, this action will curtail all forms of criminal activities in the country.
The Senate President said, “Let me commend the sponsor of this bill and indeed all of us in the Senate for remaining consistent on discussing the security situation in the country.
“The security situation would have been far better if we are able to control the proliferation of firearms in the country.”
Lawan referred the bill to the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and urged them to engage with the executive arm of the government to ensure that they are on the same page.
“I believe that there is no compromise for stiffer penalties for anyone caught with an illegal arm.
“The security situation can still be reversed whilst we continue to remain focused and committed,” he said.
Recall that the bill was also passed in the 8th National Assembly but was not signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.