Nigeria is going through serious cases of insecurity across its territory. This state of insecurity which is mainly orchestrated by the use of small arms and light weapons has resulted in mayhem, deat
Yakubu Salisu and Mohammed Bello Babanumma
Volume 12 Issue 3
Abstract
Nigeria is going through serious cases of insecurity across its territory. This state of insecurity which is mainly orchestrated by the use of small arms and light weapons has resulted in mayhem, deaths, displacement, and destruction of lives and property in the country. The study examined the factors responsible for the proliferation of small arm and light weapons in Nigeria. The study is anchored on the combination of the theory of relative autonomy of the state and failed state theory. Methodologically, it utilized causal design relying on secondary sources of data collection and documentary evidence which was also analyzed qualitatively. Findings have shown that small arms and light weapons are maximally utilized to perpetrate crimes by various individuals and groups in all areas of the country. The study further showed that there is currently intensity of the phenomenon of small arms and light weapons related criminalities in the country. As such, the study recommends that issues of mass unemployment, marginalization, ethnic and religious chauvinism, bad government, poverty, political exclusion, corruption, uneven distribution of state revenue, absence of a true federal structure, prevailing culture of hate, etc should be adequately treated with the view to create an atmosphere that all Nigerians will see that they do have stake in the country. Also, there should be a properly coordinated sustained and integrated policy by the Federal Government to curb and contain the easy flow of illicit small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. Keywords: Factors, Proliferation, Small Arms, Light Weapons, North East
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