Proliferation Of Small Arms And Light Weapons And National Security In Nigeria Recipes For Disarmament

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2022 in the subject Organisation and administration - Public safety and order, grade: A, , course: Strategic Studies, language: English, abstract: This paper examined the effects of proliferation of small arms and light weapons on national security in Nigeria. It utilized secondary sources of data as well as employed the critical theory to explain the relationship between proliferation of small arms and light weapons and national security in Nigeria. The widespread demand, use and abuse of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria pose serious security and developmental challenges to the country. Some of the implications of this is that Government resources are diverted away from socio-economic and developmental projects to defense and security and human rights abuses which undermine human security are rife. For instance, Nigeria has spent over US$9billion since 2019 trying to curb insecurity this fund would have been channeled into education or health system to boost the welfare of the people.

The fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons is one of the key priorities on the peace and security agenda of West African states. The effective control of the illicit circulation of weapons requires competent and accountable security forces, who are properly trained. This handbook, jointly published by PCASED, ECOWAS and UNIDIR, provides an appropriate framework for training.

This paper aims to examine the Roles of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) as a Catalyst of Terrorism in Africa. It is instructive to state that uncontrolled availability of SALWs in Africa has influenced many of the armed conflicts and acts of terrorism on the continent. This has continued to threaten State sovereignty, democratic stability, development, economic prosperity and the peace in the respective Nation States. It is important to emphasize that arms proliferation is transnational crime as it takes a lot of logistics, contacts and high level conspiracy for arms to move illegally from the country of manufacture and production to the custody of the end user successfully and without trace. However, the humanitarian cost of this is the spate of increased poverty as a result of forced migration, mainly internally displaced persons and refugees. As a result of arms proliferation, several millions of lives have also been lost. This is aside other petty and major crimes, including but not limited to armed robberies, kidnapping, pouching and illegal hunting among others, all aided by SALWs. The general objective of this study is to evaluate the roles the availability and the use of arms in armed conflicts and terrorism in Africa. The theoretical framework used in this study is 'frustration-aggression' theory. Both primary and secondary data was employed for the study which includes interviews and review of related literatures, with a Nigerian perspective. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The study recommends and concludes that effective disarmament programs, strict border security measures, economic improvement and empowerment, sound early warning mechanism, good and inclusive governance should be employed by Nations in Africa to tackle arms proliferation, smuggling, local fabrication and most importantly, an central financial payment/remuneration system within respective Nation States that is both “un-influenceable” and tamper-proof by politicians, superiors or lobbyists, for adequate and commensurate global standard or “live-able” wages and benefits for security personnel entrusted with SALWs . It also recommends harshest and expedited sentencing of both officials and civilians or citizenry proven guilty of acts involving SALWs to stem the related corruption, at national levels across African States.

Provides an in-depth analysis of the issue of small-arms control. It discusses wars & privatized violence, firearm production & the ease of purchase, land mines, sources of small arms & commodities-for arms transactions, the challenge of shrinking armies, taking weapons out of circulation, & restricting governmentally approved sales & illicit transfers of firearms. Charts & tables.

This publication assesses the reports submitted to the UN by member states during 2003 on the progress they have made towards implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PoA). This is based on a joint project undertaken by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Department for Disarmament Affairs (UNDDA) and the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), in collaboration with the Small Arms Survey. Findings include that 103 out of 191 member states submitted annual reports during 2003, with progress made on implementation of the PoA in the areas of national legislation, weapons collection and destruction, and public awareness.

This publication is a convenient collection of key international instruments relating to the issue of small arms and light weapons at the United Nations, as well as the most recent documentation from the Security Council and the General Assembly relevant to the subject. It is a handy reference tool for diplomats and other government officials, regional and subregional bodies, the United Nations system, specialized non-governmental organizations, research institutes, educators, students and the general public.

"Since the mid-1990s, most of the international community has recognised the de-stabilising effect on failed and weak states of the illicit transfer, accumulation ad misuse of small arms and light weapons. They are said to fuel and prolong conflicts; obstruct relief operations; undermine peace initiatives; exacerbate human rights abuses; hinder post-conflict development and security and are perceived as 'fostering a culture of violence'. As a consequence, the United Nations (UN), regional governmental institutions, national governments together with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have proposed and developed various intiatives to curb the illicit trade and misuse of these weapons (UNDDA 2006). This paper considers the post-Cold War diffusion and proliferation of small arms, their attractiveness for violent non-state actors, some aspects of the arms trade and their impact on intra-state and cross-border conflicts."--l. 2.

Five years of implementing the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PoA) have brought about some significant developments in combating the illicit trade in small arms. However, further efforts at the national, regional and international levels are necessary. This analysis is part of a joint project of the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, the United Nations Departmentfor Disarmament Affairs and the Small Arms Survey established to assist States to better fulfil their commitments under the PoA. It analyses the information contained in national reports voluntarily submitted by States on their implementation of the PoA from 2002 to 2005. To date, 137 countries have participated in national reporting, which is an encouragingdevelopment and indicates a growing awareness across the globe on problems related to the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. However, the level of PoA implementation in different regions remains unequal, and while the number of reporting States is increasing in most regions, the level of reporting and of implementation remain low in some regions.By analysing the reports submitted by States, this study contributes to the efforts to strengthen the PoA. It highlights the main trends in national reporting, including regional differences, thematic priorities and areas where further assistance is indicated to be needed. It also provides concrete recommendations on how different aspects of this reporting mechanism could be enhanced and used more efficiently to combat the illicit trade and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.