Contextualizing the Impact of Arms Proliferation for Peace and Security in Nigeria

For the past few decades, proliferation of small arms has been one of the major threats to peace and security across the globe. In Africa, Small Arms and Light Weapons promote and sustain various conflicts and crimes. In West Africa particularly, the easy access and availability of small arms to unauthorised persons and groups is a major security threat. This study examines the implications of small arms for peace and security in Nigeria. It assesses the role of the governments in arms control with a view to proffering suggestions on how to address some of the resultant threats. The study adopts Small Arms Survey Group framework on the flow of arms from national stockpiles and civilian stockpiles. This conceptual framework is adopted because of its direct relevance to this study. The study adopts a quantitative research approach involving a descriptive survey design. The study discovers that one of the reasons why there is a high level of illicit proliferation of small arms in Nigeria is the lack of efficient border control and the ineffective control of small arms. The study postulates that the control of small arms and light weapons is essential in curtailing the spread of terrorism and ensure peace and security. The 1959 Nigeria Fire Act should be reviewed and amended in accordance with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Convention and the United Nations Programme of Action (UNPoA) to prevent illicit trade in small arms and light weapons