Proliferation Of Arms Research Articles

"Incompetency in Governance and Menace of Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Nigeria: Causes, Impacts, and Solution "

This study examined the implication of the scourge of awful governancein Nigeria, and discusses the threats of proliferation of small arms andlight weapons vis-a-vis less efficient governance by drawing a synergybetween both variables, and unveiling the menace of proliferation ofSALW as a devastating implication of unproductive governance inNigeria. This paper adopted interviews as a tool for data collection andalso retrieved valuable information’s from readymade works ofscholars. This paper investigated the causes of proliferation of smallSALW in Nigeria, and discussed the constitutional failure of Nigeriangovernment as the propellant of arms proliferation in Nigeria.. Thestudy also examined the impacts of proliferation of SALW in Nigeriaand finally articulate recommendation’s that will serve as a panacea tothe menace of proliferation of SALW, and also serves as the solution tothe effect of unproductive governance in Nigeria.

Citizen Security in South America: A Review

Concerns about the global proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and armed violence have increased exponentially since the end of the Cold War. Developing and post-conflict countries have found it particularly difficult to stem the proliferation and misuse of SALW as they attempt to (re)build government institutions, in particular security forces. Latin America is one of the regions of the world most affected by armed violence. Voluntary weapons collection programmes (VWCP) are one intervention that has been implemented repeatedly in developed and developing countries in order to reduce proliferation and violence with mixed results and limited independent evaluation. This thesis begins with an examination of the weapons-specific, intervening and structural factors of crime and insecurity in Latin America followed by an exploration of different security concepts and frameworks relevant to VWCP, in particular the concept of citizen security. It then proposes a new VWCP Impact Assessment Framework that builds upon previous findings on impact in regards to traditional crime and violence. The framework goes further to integrate the interactions of VWCP with security sector reform and social capital. The examination of the security sector emphasises elements of police reform in Latin America. The framework then looks at three types of social capital relevant to institutions and communities. The framework is then tested and applied to eight country cases studies, two from empirical field research in order to test conventional notions and generate new findings.

Determinant factors of resource conflict between farmers and herdsmen in Benue State, Nigeria

The determinant factors of resource conflict between farmers and herdsmen in Benue State were analysed. Objectives were to assess the prevalence of resource conflict factors in Benue state and determine factors most responsible for the resource conflict in Benue state. Field survey of three hundred and eighty-two (382) residents was conducted using questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion. Data collected were analyzed using percentage and Factor Analysis. Results showed that factors such as drought, flood, erosion, pollution, politics, greed, proliferation of arms, religion, tribalism, expansion of farmland, increases in herds, poverty, unemployment, cattle rustling, destruction of crops by herds, population growth and urbanization are responsible for the conflict. However, further, analysis of result shows that only 1.38% of respondents posited that environmental/climatic factors, 30% economic factors, 32.78% greed/insecurity, 13.75% and 22.08% posited cultural and population factors respectively. It was concluded that human factors such as economic, greed/insecurity, cultural and population are the major drivers of the resource conflict between farmers and herdsmen than environmental factors like erosion, flood and draught. promote skill acquisition and create jobs to engage youths to boast the economy and reduce conflict.

Implications for National Security in Nigeria

The federal government of Nigeria ordered the partial closure of all land borders with her neighbours such as Benin Republic, Cameroun, Chad and Niger on the 20th August, 2019.The decision by the Nigerian government was to curb smuggling of contra-band agro-allied products (especially rice and poultry products), petroleum products (especially premium motor spirit), reduce influx of illegal migrants, control proliferation of small arms and light weapons and, finally to strengthen internal security of the country. However, this government policy has resulted in increase in inflation rate to above 11.85 percent, closure of business by some manufacturing companies, loss of jobs, increase in security challenges, and also a breach of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocols and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) guidelines etc. The study aimed at identifying the factors responsible for border closure, the implications for the closure for national security in Nigeria, and solutions to address these problems. It adopted secondary method of data collection which includedtextbooks, journals, newspapers, magazines and internet information. The study adopted frustration-aggression theory as its theoretical framework. The study adopted library research and documentary evidence as its instruments of data analysis. The findings of the study showed that border closure has resulted in inflationary pressure, increase in local rice production, unemployment due to lay-offs etc. The study recommended installation of security equipment /device that can track down illegal migrants and smugglers of contra-band goods, strict adherence to ECOWAS protocols and AfCFTA guidelines etc.

Religious Conflicts and Arms Proliferation in the Security Law Reform

The relationship between small arms and light weapons, religious crises, and insecurity has continued to be a burning issue in the national security discourse in Nigeria. Religious organizations under the guise of spreading their beliefs now engage in the laundering of donations by members on acquisitions of small and arms and light weapons to protect their jurisdictions and ward off other perceived oppositions. There is no doubt that the laundering operations and arms acquisitions by religious organizations in the country are slightly different in scope and activity, although no less complex and hard to detect unless put under the searchlight. However, the effects of this are manifested in the escalation of insecurity and religious crises as evidenced in incessant killings, maiming of innocent citizens, and wanton destruction of properties in the country. This paper observes that the uncontrollable proliferation of arms fuel and prolong religious crises, and has created economic, socio-political crises and a huge burden of humanitarian cost in all facets of the polity. The paper concludes that it has become imperative to address this phenomenon as the emerging scenario no doubt continues to threaten the achievement of sustainable development goals in the country.

Proliferation of illicit arms and control mechanisms in Nigeria: A critical socioeconomic analysis

The study addresses the question of illicit weapons proliferation and many diverse control measures undertaken to counteract it in Nigeria. It further explores the reasons why Nigeria has become an appealing target for illicit weapons in the West African sub-region. Given the ease of in-flows and out-flows of illicit arms within the borders of the Nigerian State, this study contends that Nigeria’s firearms law is outdated and insufficient, especially as seen from the perspective of the Protocol to the arms trade agreement that is in force, and even in the light of the dynamics of security issues in the 21st century. The study demonstrates that the growing proliferation of illicit weapons in Nigeria has had economic, humanitarian and socio-political consequences. Therefore, it concludes that all the regional containment measures, from ECOWAS to weapons trading agreements, have not decreased the proliferation of illicit arms in Nigeria and that the Nigeria’s Firearms Act is outdated and unsuitable for the security needs of the Nigerian state, notwithstanding the problems faced by the security dynamics of the 21st century.

LIBYA: ARMS PROLIFERATION AND ARMED GROUPS. THE LIBYAN CONFLICT REVISED

The study critically analyses the effects of the Libyan arms proliferation, with a focus on the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in the region. It traces the proliferation of arms occasioned by the Civil War in Libya and establishes an empirical link to some of the regional security challenges to the proliferation. Relevant theoretical perspectives, such as the Security Dilemma and the Security Complex Theory, are adopted to explain the resulting effects of the proliferation such as the increased deadly violence of the rebel forces in the region and the neighboring Middle East region. Innovative arms control has been presented as the opportunity for the region to address the security challenges which are quickly evolving into a proliferation of advanced sophisticated weapons, some of them in the rebel-controlled territories. The study concludes that the regional security challenges partly originate from the Libyan arms proliferation which have also worsened security challenges in different parts of the world. Keywords: Arms proliferation, Security Dilemma, Libya, Regional Security Complex, arms control, Disarmament, Demobilization and Re-integration.

Communal tracking approach to insecurity in Nigeria: A prognostic contemplation on Amotekun, the Nigerian Southwest Security Outfit

Crime proliferation and insecurity represent a multidirectional broadband in social analysis. Crimes generally are outcome of carefully planned and diligently executed mischief of a belligerent group against a target. Crimes are rarely capable of sudden self-propagation. Indexes of insecurity and interest-based assaults of one group against another in the form of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal/ethnic attacks scarcely manifest as entirely externallyinflicted social ills without insiders’ collaboration. Terrorism, banditry and kidnapping as crimes, are at the same time living social organisms that are birthed, nurtured and resourced for attainment of some strategic social objectives. The advanced phase of armed attack manifests only at their maturity. Based on available primary and secondary data on security challenges, aside from arguing that increasing incidence of insecurity in Nigeria results more from economic and ideological roots: political, economic, cultural, religion and ethnic, this paper insists that crimes have both latent and manifest gestational traits. Therefore, it is here conjectured that before crimes attain maturity, Communal TrackingApproach (CTA) to security stands the best strategy for early detection, avoidance and/or prevention of crimes. This paper recommends that if the objective of the new complementary security organization in the Nigerian Southwest, codenamed Amotekun, is to be realized, it must be built more on CTA. Given that Amotekun is not likely to be as resourced as the Nigerian military, and particularly with the everincreasing proliferation of arms among the belligerent elements, CTA, with its communal stance, above all alternate measures, offers a less costly strategy to securing the citizens and the nation.

Challenges for Security Threat of Ethiopia in Using Subaltern Realist Security Theory Perspective

Subaltern is the postcolonial approach to study international relation from the week states’ perspective. It is the offspring of realism which focuses on internal vulnerability is a major source of insecurity. The paper is applied as a framework to explain security threats in Ethiopia and reviewed papers that are writing on Ethiopian national security. This term paper reviewed and classified the Ethiopian security threats as internal and external. By consulting the bulk of literature and my daily academic talk with colleagues; Poverty, famine, recurrent and drought, National integrity (consolidating Ethnic conflict federalism), The danger of succession and state failure, Democratization and election issues are identified as Internal security threats. On the other hand Terrorism, Proliferation of arms, Fragile Relation with Neighboring governments, Nile politics and neighboring countries’ spreading civil wars are claimed to be External security threats. To sustain the sparkle of democracy and development achieved throughout the last decades, it is imperative to work aggressively and focus on the country’s internal vulnerability

The Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria: Corruption a Major Challenge

The proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) is gradually and perilously becoming a transnational organized crime. In Nigeria, this peril assumed its delicate stage with incessant killings by Boko Haram insurgents, herdsmen-farmers clashes, kidnappings, communal and religious crisis, and armed robbery. The drift of this threat is the availability of weapons that are trafficked through Nigeria’s porous borders. Regulating the proliferation of small arms and light weapons has been challenged by several factors such as border porosity, inadequate personnel, lack of equipment, lack of data, weak enforcement, stockpile management, local arms manufacturers. Corruption takes center stage and is the focus of this paper. Corruption directly or indirectly is related to other challenges. The paper recommends that corruption must be addressed if all legal and institutional measures for border security and curtailing the spread of weapons in Nigeria are to achieve their objectives.

Understanding the causes and dynamics of conflicts in Ghana: Insights from Bawku Traditional Area

A Conflict can be resolved when there is an adequate understanding of its causes. The objective of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the contributory factors of the Bawku chieftaincy conflict as a case study and explore the lasting solutions to the conflict which contributes to the political, cultural, and socio-economic development. The study surveyed 200 householders using systematic and snow-balling in five spatial locations in the Bawku Traditional Area. Subsequently, face-to-face interviews were conducted with the Traditional Authorities, the Police, and the Belim-Wusa Development Agency to verify the claims made in the survey and to obtain further insights into the conflict. The responses obtained from the interviews were analyzed for patterns and themes and used as narratives in the work. The geographical location and socio-economic activities such as population growth, farming, and poverty have made the Bawku Traditional Area more prone to persistent conflicts. Again, other contributory factors included; political interference, freedom from fear, a proliferation of small arms, and inadequate access to social services. The empirical findings support the proposition that political interventions sowed the seed of the Bawku conflict. The study recommended that the National Peace Council should organize a workshop to educate the political parties on the need to stay away from chieftaincy matters.

The Socio-Economic Environment among Pastoral Communities in West Pokot and Turkana Counties in Kenya

There are conflicts in many pastoral communities around the globe, while the Sahel region and EastoAfrica demonstrate sustained levels of inter-pastoral violent conflicts with associated potential impacts on their livelihoods. Turkana-Pokot Violence across borders, conflict is now the norm. A number of efforts have been made by various bodies to bring peace to the region. Despite the Kenya Police Reservists' disarmament and arming communities, peace building meetings, prosecuting perpetrators, declaring illicit firearms surrender amnesties, and setting up peace committees continue to prevail in the region, insecurity and violent conflict. This study was primarily utilized the Protracted Social Conflicts (PSC) theory of Edward Azar. The study adopted descriptive research design. The study was conducted in Turkana and West Pokot Counties of Kenya. A total of 434 respondents were targeted in Pokot North and Turkana South. The sample size of 130 respondents was selected from each of the two Sub Counties. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, and document analysis and focus group discussions. Pilot study was conducted in Wajir County to establish reliability and validity of research instruments using content analysis and Cronbach alpha respectively. Quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS to obtain descriptive statistics and chi-square. Qualitative data was analyzed by use of themes and presented in narrative form. Quantitative data was presented in form of tables, charts and graphs. Qualitative data was presented in form of narratives and verbatim quotations. The findings of the study revealed that, the proximity of Turkana County to three international borders, namely; Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia had contributed to the proliferation of small arms through the porous borders that are not governed by the respective governments. This contributed to the availability and cheapness of small arms in Turkana County as a whole, hence the sustenance of the conflict between the two communities. Therefore, this theoretical framework was useful in anchoring the study. The study findings therefore suggested that politics, governance, peace building strategies, commercialization of raided animals and proliferation of small arms are the sustainers of conflict among the pastoral communities of Turkana and West Pokot Counties of Kenya. The next chapter presents the effectiveness of the existing conflict management system towards the conflict between the Turkana and Pokot communities.

Efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons: from persistent crisis to norm failure?

More than 20 years since its negotiation in 2001, the UN Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA) is failing to fulfill the expectations of states and civil society alike. Considering the absolute numbers of military and civilian possession, the aim of tackling the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in “all its aspects” is currently likely to fail. Studies show that civilian ownership has increased dramatically since 2006. The estimated stocks of SALW in sub-Saharan Africa are 11 million state-owned SALW and 40 million SALW in the hands of civilians. Legal arms exports between states remain another source. This article seeks to identify the different facets of the continuous crisis of SALW control by relying on a global governance perspective as well as on norm research in international relations. The sources of illicit SALW proliferation are manifold and often exceed the capabilities of arms control and disarmament. The present article focuses on the external and internal dimensions for the crisis of illicit SALW proliferation. However, when looking at the internal dimension of the SALW crisis, the UNPoA itself is also partly to blame for the inadequate and ineffective arms control and disarmament efforts. This gloomy picture is exacerbated by statistics indicating that the numbers of newly manufactured SALW are still growing more rapidly than worldwide disarmament efforts. It is more important than ever to ensure that prescriptive norms are translated into everyday practical political and social realities to meet the needs of people struggling with the dire consequences of illicit SALW proliferation.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), An Obsolete Security Institution or A Group of Self-Seeking Elitists: Re-thinking Reform

This article argues that elitist tendencies in NATO’s leadership coupled with the support of its leading states, induced it to commit humanitarian catastrophes in parts of Europe and Middle East. These mundane policies portray NATO as an entity with blunt strategic vision to protect the security needs of its member states in the 21 st century. Similarly, the article contends that, although NATO has played a formidable role in stemming proliferation of nuclear arms and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area, some evidence suggest that the entity has outlived its usefulness. Finally, the article recommends that NATO should divest from its military expeditions in order to acquire new expertise in cyber technology; so as, to remain relevant to the international community thereby contributing towards the stability of the transatlantic project. Keywords: geo-political, strategy, elitism, security, self- interests, obsolete and reform DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/91-04 Publication date: August 31 st 2021

The Demographic Implications of Crop Farmers-Pastoralists Conflict in Benue North-West, Nigeria

Conflicts between crop farmers and pastoralists have become a common feature of economic livelihood in West Africa. The study assessed the demographic implications of crop farmers-pastoralists conflict in Benue North-West, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and a sample of 120 respondents was purposively selected from the three LGAs mostly affected by the pastoralists’ attacks. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, key informant interview and field observations and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages and mean). The study in its course found that availability of evergreen arable land (3,27), competition over available evergreen arable lands (3.0), damage to crops (3.12) and the proliferation and availability of cheap small arms and light weapons (2.52) are the major causes of conflict in the area. The study also revealed that the conflict has both short and long term demographic implication on the affected communities. The study recommended sustainable measures towards addressing conflict in the affected communities.

Exploring the precipitators of violent conflict in Central Nigeria: a mixed methodology approach

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the mutually reinforcing drivers of violent conflict in rural and urban communities in Central Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative research methodology through multi-stage sampling technique. This involved the purposive selection of Benue and Plateau States in Central Nigeria. The combination of household data collection and Geographic Information System led to the identification of 2,772, 117, 2,668 and 106 grids in Jos, Barkin Ladi, Makurdi and Gbajimba, respectively. This proportion constituted the clusters where household heads were chosen for questionnaire administration. Furthermore, a total of ten in-depth interviews were conducted.FindingsThe prominent precipitators of violent conflicts were: rise of criminal groups and criminal activities, hate speech, state’s inability to protect most citizens against violent crime, political intimidation by ruling party, over militarization of the public space. Others are rising population pressure, proliferation of small arms and light weapons and ban of open grazing.Research limitations/implicationsThis study could be strengthened if broadened to include communities with different socioeconomic realities. Hence, the view presented in this paper may not be considered generalizable to other parts of the country with different cultural settings.Originality/valueThe methodology offers a reliable alternative to combine sampling approaches for household surveys that can help address problems occasioned by the lack of census data.

The Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons and the Challenges of National Security in Nigeria: A Case Study of Adamawa State

The proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) is a major national security challenge in Nigeria. The insecurity resulting from insurgency, banditry, militancy, kidnapping, armed robbery, ethno-religious and communal conflicts have become worrisome in Nigeria. All this, are perpetrated with small arms and light weapons, which are easily concealed and used to unleash violence in the society. There is hardly any week that passes by, without a report of one attack or the other somewhere in Nigeria. Adamawa state is not different as security challenges perpetrated with SALWs have destroyed lives and properties, and displaced a lot of people many of whom are farmers thereby, threatening food security. Again, Boko-Haram insurgency has over the years increased the availability of SALWs in the state. Porosity of Nigerian borders in Adamawa state axis has equally made it much easier for criminals to smuggle in SALWs into the state from neighboring Cameroon. The security agencies that are saddled with the responsibility to check this are complicit, as the bad ones facilitate the smuggling or are themselves sources of SALWs. Today, there is mutual distrust and deep seated grievances among the various ethnic groups co-habiting the state due to injustice. The deep seated grievances have made groups to acquire SALWs for self-help and retaliation. Furthermore, suspicion is commonplace and many people have lost trust and faith in the security architecture of the state government. Thus, people have resorted to the acquisition of SALWs for self-defense. Above all, politicians procure arms for the youths during elections. These arms are never returned as they are used to make ends meet due to poverty and unemployment ravaging the country. It is within the context of this broad narrative that the proliferation of SALWs is situated in Adamawa state nay Nigeria. Therefore, to check this menace, there is need to rejig the security architecture of Adamawa state and indeed Nigeria. Border security must be strengthened through cross-border security arrangement with Nigeria neighbors. The culture of violence in politics must be de-emphasized and the premium attached to political office should be reduced. Poverty and unemployment should be reduced and Justice should be served to all who deserve it. Finally, mutual trust should be encouraged by the government to foster inter-ethnic and religious co-existence and harmony among the diverse people in the state.

Urban Peace-Building through Community-Based Initiatives to Control SALWs in Libya

In post-revolution Libya, the proliferation and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) became pervasive due to the ongoing political and armed conflict that succeeded the fall of Qaddafi. The continuing state of insecurity and weakness of central state authorities has led local and community-based actors to develop their own peacebuilding initiatives, some of which included homegrown measures to control or reduce the proliferation of SALW. Drawing on insights collected in the cities of Az-Zāwiyah, Bayda, and Tobruk, this policy commentary discusses the mechanisms leading to the emergence of such initiatives, the methods of their implementation, and their strengths and weaknesses. Although these local initiatives did not result in building lasting and comprehensive peace at the national level, they offer a preliminary set of lessons learned that can help inform prospective peacebuilding and SALW control efforts in Libya. <strong>Arabic version:</strong> The Arabic version of this article is available and can be downloaded at <a href="https://doi.org/10.31389/jied.57.s1" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.31389/jied.57.s1</a>

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

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.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE GENESIS, SOURCES, MANIFESTATIONS AND IMPACT OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS (SALW) IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

The protracted proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) across the globe to Africa and specifically in Northern Nigeria has led to the explosion of social crises which culminated in insecurity situation in the region for more than a decade now. Armed conflicts emanated from the effects of the spread of SALW across the three geopolitical zones in the North which manifested in the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, farmers-herders conflict in the Northcentral, armed banditry in the Northwest and ethnoreligious conflicts in addition to kidnappings in the region. The objective of this study is a critical and thorough investigation of the SALW in exacerbating armed conflicts in general in the Northern part of Nigeria. The problem is the scenario in which the armed conflicts are threatening to entirely destabilised the region and the manner in which the SALW are increasing despite the global efforts to contain their spread for security reasons. This research used a qualitative method of data collection and analysis. Both the primary and secondary sources were used. The primary source was the interview conducted with selected informants in the relevant area of study. The secondary source was the use of available literature on the subject matter of study and the discussions were made using thematic analytical interpretations. The research discovered that the rampant armed conflicts in Northern Nigeria is the reminiscent of the spread of SALW in the region which tantamount to the present critical security situation. Also, weak policy and political institutions contributed to the spread of SALW which means there is a need for a strong policy approach. The work recommends among other numerous suggestions that efforts should be intensified in intelligence gathering to detect the networking of the racketeers in the armed business and contain them appropriately as well as total blockage of the weapons’ route.