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ABSTRACT
In recent years, Nigeria’s security architecture has deteriorated due to conflicts and acts of violent extremism by non-state actors in possession of SALWs. Therefore, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons have resulted in armed conflicts, the displacement of people, organized crimes, and acts of terrorism, thereby undermining the peace, development, and human security of Nigerians, and by extension, Africa. The easy accessibility, destructiveness, simplicity and usability of the SALWs have made them appealing and a preferred choice for organized criminal groups and violent extremists resulting in huge human security challenges for Nigeria. In this context, the study examines the impact of the proliferation of SALWs and the peace, security, and development of Nigeria. The main interests are to first understand the intersectionality between the proliferation of SALWs and human security, and secondly to unpack the causes, channels, and casualties of the proliferation of SALWs in Nigeria. The author will also discuss the pattern and strategy of governmental response(s) to the proliferation of SALWs. The study recommends the adoption of a grand-national strategy comprising of governance-security nexus as a panacea to stem the tide of the illegal proliferation of SALWs in Nigeria.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
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2 Stemmet, A. Regulating Small Arms and Light weapons.
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5 Small Arms Survey, Shadow of War.
6 Lodgard, C., & Fung, A. The Global Spread of Arms: The Political Economy of International Security.
7 Ibid
8 Falode, A.J. Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Transnational Crime in Africa.
9 Egbuta, U. The proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons: A nexus to Asymmetric Threats in Nigeria.
10 Ifeadi, Cross Border Security Threats and Developmental Challenges for Africa: A Nigerian Immigration Service Perspective.
11 Moses, T. Chart of the Day: Cost of Nigeria’s Insecurity.
12 Alimba, C.N. Controlling the Proliferation of Small Arms in Nigeria: Emerging issues and Challenges.
13 Adepegba et al Arms Proliferation worsens Insecurity as Firearms Bills Suffer Delay
14 Akpuru-Aja, A. Policy Fields and Contemporary Strategic Studies.
15 Dokubo, C. The Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa: Implications for Sub-regional security; McNamara, R.S. The Essence of security.
16 Mcfarlane, Neil S. and Yuen Foong Khong ‘Human Security and the UN’.
17 Imobighe, T.A. Dimensions of Threats and National Security Development Challenges in Nigeria.
18 Zabadi, L.S. The National Security Decision Making Process in a Democracy.
19 Dokubo, C. The Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa: Implications for Sub-regional security, p.139.
20 United Nations, United Nations Development Report.
21 Commission on Human Security, Human Security Now.
22 Ibid.
23 UNTFHS, Human Security in Theory and Practice.
24 Adisa, J. National Interest and Values.
25 Szpack, A. Human Security, Human Rights and International law and Interaction between them.
26 McNamara, R.S. The Essence of security.
27 Falode, A.J. Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Transnational Crime in Africa.
28 Osimen, G. U., & Akintunde, B. A. Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Proliferation and problems of National Security in Nigeria.
29 Egbuta, U. The proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons: A nexus to Asymmetric Threats in Nigeria.
30 Salau, S. Customs intercepts 440 pump action rifles, others at Lagos port.
31 Okunade, S.K. & Oni, E.O. Nigeria and the challenge of managing Border Porosity, 79.
32 Onuoha, F.C. Porous Borders and Boko Haram’s Arms smuggling operations in Nigeria.
33 Falode, A.J. Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Transnational Crime in Africa.
34 Weiss, T. ‘A Demand-Side Approach to Fighting Small Arms Proliferation’, p.7
35 Soetan, S.O. Proliferation of Arms and Security Challenges in Nigeria.
36 Dokubo, C. The Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa: Implications for Sub-regional security, p.148
37 Onuoha, F.C. Porous Borders and Boko Haram’s Arms smuggling operations in Nigeria.
38 Banjo, N. Brig Gen, others killed in ISWAP attack on Borno military base.
39 Ibemere, D. Over 170,000 AK-47, Assorted Rifles Disappears from Police Armory as Auditor-General Demands Probe
40 Falode, A.J. Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Transnational Crime in Africa.
41 Punch News, North and Nigeria’s Development.
42 France24, Gunmen kidnap more than 70students from high school in North-Western Nigeria.
43 Akinwotu, E. More than 200children remain abducted in Nigeria amid kidnap epidemic.
44 Nextier SPD, Highways of Horror.
45 Akpuru-Aja, A. Insurgency and Terrorism in Africa: A study of Some Recent Trends.
46 Kabir, A. Sorrow, Tears & Blood: Families of Policemen killed in Southeast Nigeria suffer amid Neglect.
47 Nextier SPD, Need for Arms.
48 Adepegba et al Arms Proliferation worsens Insecurity as Firearms Bills Suffer Delay.
49 Adepegba, A., Baiyewu, L. & Hanafi, A. Arms Proliferation worsens Insecurity as Firearms Bills Suffer Delay.
50 Dokubo, C. The Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in West Africa: Implications for Sub-regional security.
51 Kwarkye, S. & Matongbada, M. Nigeria’s Border Closure haven’t served their Purpose.
52 The Cable, Buhari: Border Closure failed to stop Smuggling of Illegal Arms into Nigeria.
53 Ifeadi, E.B.U. Cross Border Security Threats and Developmental Challenges for Africa: A Nigerian Immigration Service, 245.
54 Adepegba, A., Baiyewu, L. & Hanafi, A. Arms Proliferation worsens Insecurity as Firearms Bills Suffer Delay.
55 Nextier SPD, Need for Arms.
56 Akpuru-Aja, A. Insurgency and Terrorism in Africa: A study of Some Recent Trends.
57 Ojewale, O. & Onuoha, F.C. Violence in Nigeria’s South-east Demands a Holistic Response.
58 Nextier SPD, Need for Arms.
59 Ifeadi, E.B.U. Cross Border Security Threats and Developmental Challenges for Africa: A Nigerian Immigration Service Perspective.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Uchenna A. Aja
Uchenna A. Aja he has published several works in reputable national and international journals. His research interest spans issues on Security Studies, Insurgency & Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crimes, Peace and Conflict Processes and Diplomacy studies.