PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS/LIGHT WEAPONS AND CONFLICTS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

Timbee Akuul & Benjamin Shaibume

Department of Political Science,

Benue State University, Makurdis

Email: timbeeakuul@yahoo.co.uk, benshacks2013@gmail.com

Abstract

Proliferation of small arms and light weapons has been on the increases since the end of the Nigerian civil war. The trend has continued despite the illegality of trade. Today proliferation of arms has taken a serious dimension since the beginning of the current political dispensation 1999 to date. However, the consequences of this, is that, Nigeria has faced serious security challenges ranging from Boko Haram insurgency, militancy in the Niger-Delta and the perceived attack from herdsmen in certain parts of the country especially in the Benue Valley. Using secondary source of data collection it has been observed that these conflict leads to loss of lives and properties worth millions of naira destroyed, caused destruction to the food architecture of Nigerian state among others. Porosity of borders, corruption, inadequate manpower and logistic support, poorly patterned borders, institution framework and political instability and economic crisis in neighbouring countries encourage proliferation of SALWs in Nigeria. This ugly trend call for establishment of forest guards, constant monitoring, surveillance of our borders by the security agencies, government should be proactive in dealing with security issues through modern methods of intelligence gathering, sharing, training, logistics, motivation and deploying advance technology to manage security challenges among others to enhance National Security.