Author(s) :

ONOJAH Shekinah O., Magajiya Tanko, PhD.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

The proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) pose a significant threat to Nigeria's national security, particularly in resource-rich regions like Rivers State. Grounded in state fragility theory, this study investigates the dynamics, drivers, and consequences of SALW proliferation in Rivers State between 2015 and 2025. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach under a pragmatist philosophy, combining quantitative data from 400 structured questionnaires with qualitative insights from 25 in-depth interviews across Oyigbo and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas. Findings reveal that the key drivers of arms proliferation include political instability, chronic youth unemployment, porous trans-border corridors, and violent non-state actor activities, all exacerbated by governance failures and elite rent-seeking behaviors. The consequences are far-reaching: rising urban criminality, cult violence, systemic economic disruption, and the degradation of state authority. Furthermore, the study underscores how regional oil wealth has fostered inequality and arms accumulation rather than sustainable development, a crisis compounded by the cultural normalization of armed self-defense in several communities. Respondents expressed profound distrust in current institutional interventions, highlighting severe enforcement deficits. Consequently, the study recommends strengthening border surveillance and weapon tracking systems, promoting grassroots community policing, and creating targeted economic opportunities for youth. Additionally, it emphasizes the need to reform resource governance, enhance institutional accountability, and align domestic arms control frameworks with international regulatory standards. By decisively addressing both the immediate symptoms and systemic root causes of SALW circulation, Nigeria can better safeguard its territory and foster durable peace in strategic corridors. Keywords: Small Arms and Light Weapons, Proliferation, National Security, Rivers State

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