Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) in the North West Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria: An Overview

Abstract

The paper relied on content analysis to examine the nature, dynamics and drivers of small arms and light weapons proliferation in North West Nigeria. It argued that proliferation of SALWs undermines human security, fuels violent crimes and terrorist activities. It argued that the factors that encouraged the proliferation of SALWs in North West Nigeria included frequent conflict, poverty and porous borders. The herders/farmers resource conflict was identified as the main cause of violent conflicts and driver of SALWs proliferation in the region. Two main effects of SALWs proliferation included social and economic effects. Troop deployment and peace negotiation were some of the initiatives of government to curb SALWs proliferation. The main policy recommendation was the need to expedite action on the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan, which was approved in January 2019 in Abuja so as to permanently resolve the herders/farmers conflicts.