Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos, has renewed calls for the Federal Government to consider licensing firearms for citizens amid worsening insecurity across the country.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Rhodes-Vivour linked his appeal to the growing wave of abductions, including recent incidents reported in Kwara and Ogun States.

He said the continuous failure of government institutions to safeguard lives and property is eroding public trust and leaving Nigerians increasingly vulnerable.

“This situation isn’t limited to the north. Kidnappings are happening everywhere. When institutions fail and people lose trust, hopelessness sets in,” he said.

According to him, if the government cannot effectively address the security crisis, it should begin considering controlled licensing of firearms so citizens can defend themselves.

Rhodes-Vivour stressed that short-term responses from authorities will not stop Nigerians from seeking long-term means of protection if attacks persist.

He described asking citizens to remain defenseless in the face of rising threats as “wickedness,” insisting that the government must take responsibility for securing the country.