Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and Its Security Implication in North-East Nigeria

Abstract

The proliferation of small arms and light weapons is one of the major security problems in North-East Nigeria. The trafficking and circulation of small arms and light weapons(SALW) in the hands of non- state actors fuel violent conflict in the region. The trust of this paper is to establish a possible link between the proliferation of SALW and its security implication. The paper argues that the inability of the Nigerian government to address and curtailed demand and supply factors of SALW propelled the proliferation, and the direction of this paper is to provide a deeper understanding of the circulation of the weapons in the hands of criminals and unauthorized persons. Literature is review from relevant views of security scholars. The methodology adopted for this study is based on the use of secondary sources of data generated from textbooks, academic journals and related materials from the internet. Neo Marxist political economy approach is the theoretical framework to be used to empirically and critically analyze and justify the study. Causes, sources, transit, and destinations of SALW and its security implications will be discussed. The study will be relevant to government officials, security personnel, civil society groups, scholars, students, and policymakers and it is also a contribution to knowledge to close up the existing gap in the literature and to explore and spark up deeper research in the field and finally, the conclusion is made.