¹MARTINS NYEN INYANG, ²Prof. Nneka PERPETUA OLI

¹Department of Social Work Faculty of Social Science Federal University of Lafia

²Department of Sociology and Anthropology Faculty of Social Science Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

DOI : https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2025.v4i4n24

Google Scholar Download Pdf
ABSTRACT

Proliferation of Small and medium arms have become a common sight since Nigeria returned to democratic governance in 1999. It has been observed that violence before, during and after elections have been orchestrated due to the presence and misuse of these weapons. This avoidable catastrophe is traceable to a number of factors. This study therefore examines the factors influencing the proliferation of small and medium arms in Nigeria. The objectives of the study seek to identify the factors responsible for proliferation of small and medium arms, the effect of proliferations of small and medium arms and measures to mitigate the menace. This study identified factors responsible for the proliferation of small and medium arms to include among others, conflict racketeering, poverty and unemployment, weak border controls, political instability, international arms trade, lack of effective gun control legislation and cultural and social factors. Group conflict theory and subculture of violence theory were espoused as theoretical framework. The paper thus submits that political violence, terrorism, ethnic militia, bad governance and a militarized election system which are all vestiges of an arms-festered society will prevail, until and unless the organic context which precipitates it (championed by corporate buccaneerism, poverty and festering primitive materialism) is comprehensively and adequately checked. It is recommended that a conscious effort at the regional, sub-regional and international levels must be made in order to help check the threat to peace and development within the sub-region. Also, the push factors for arms proliferation must be abated and severed.

KEYWORDS:

criminal networks, criminogenic environment, ethnic militia, militarized elections, proliferation, small and medium arms

REFERENCES

1) Abiodun, T.F., Ayo-Adeyekun, I., Onafowora, O. & Nwannenaya, C. (2018). Small arms and light weapons proliferation and its threats to Nigeria’s internal security. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research 6(3) 34-45 www.researchpublish.com

2) Adeniyi, A. (2017). The human cost of uncontrolled arms in Africa: Cross-national research on seven African countries. OXFAM Research Reports. The complex dynamics of small arms in West Africa. United Nations institute for disarmament research (UNDIR). Disarmament forum.

3) Adler, F., Mueller, G. O. & Laufer, W. S. (1995). Criminology (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

4) Alimba, C. N. (2020). Controlling the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria: Emerging issues and challenges. Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences 5(10) 40- 51.

5) Alubo, O. (2013). Illegal Arms Proliferation and Conflicts in Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable Peace and Development. Africa Development. Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, XXXVI (1) 75–95. Retrieved from August 16, 2023.

6) Alusala, N. (2007). Rethinking DDR in Africa. Institute for Security Studies. September.

7) Aver, T.T., Nnorom, K. C. & Ilim, M. M. (2014). The proliferation of arms and its effect on the development of democracy in Nigeria. American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 5(2) 233-238.

8) Ayissi, A. N. & Sall, I. (Eds) (2005). Combating the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in West Africa: Handbook for the Training of Armed and Security Forces. UN Institute for Disarmament Research

9) Baumeister, R. F. & Vohs, K. D., (2015). Encyclopaedia of Social Psychology. Sage Publications.

10) Bernard, T.J. (1981). Distinction between conflict and radical criminology. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology 72(1) Spring. Accessed September 27, 2023.

11) Brunson, R. K. & Miller J. (2000). Girls and gangs. In C. M. Renzetti and L. I. Goldstein (Eds.), Gender, crime and criminal justice (pp. 44 - 59). Los Angeles: Roxburgh.

12) Chandio, R., Tarique & Fatima, S. (2019). Soren Kierkegaard, and jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialist approach: A comparative, textual analysis. International Journal of English Research 46 International Journal of English Research 5(2 2455-2186 www.englishjournals.com

13) Conklin, J. E. (2001). Criminology (7th ed.). London: Allyn and Bacon.

14) Cross River State Armoury, Department of Operations, Nigeria Police Command (2021).

15) Florquin, N. & Berman, E., (2005), 'Armed and Aimless: Armed Groups, Guns, and Human Security in the ECOWAS Region', Small Arms Survey.

16) Gerhard, T. (1989). SALW control, security & development retrieved 14 September 28, 2023 from; http://www.armsproliferation.com/wikkipaedia885596

17) Huff, C. R. (1998). Criminal behaviour of gang members and at risk youths. Washington D. C.: National Institute of Justice.

18) Ikoh, M. U. (2002). Social class and crime: The study of “Agaba group” in Calabar metropolis. Unpublished Master’s thesis, Faculty of Social Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

19) Jack, P. (1985). “Review Essay.” Criminology 23(2) 381-388. Accessed September 28, 2023

20) Jacob, J. (2017). Arms proliferation and armed banditry in Nigeria: challenges and prospects for sustainable development. Journal of the Nigerian political science association 3(4) Retrieved September 9, 2023 from https://independent.academis.edu/jamesjacob

21) Keen, D. (2001). Incentives and disincentives for violence. In J. I. Nimmy and R. P. Zumma (Eds.), Greed and grievances: Economic agenda in civil wars (pp. 19-42). Ottawa: International Development Research Centre.

22) Kirui, B. K. (2020). Conceptualizing small arms control in the Horn of Africa Region: An epistemological debate. African Research Journal of Education and Social Sciences 7(2) www.arjess.org

23) Kituse, J. L. & Dietrick, D. C. (1999). Delinquent boys: A critique. American Sociological Review, 24, 206 – 215.

24) Klare, T. M. (1996). The arms trade in the 1990: changing patterns. Rising dangers: Third Quarterly 17:857-874.

25) Lafollette, H. (2000). Gun control. Ethics, 110(2), 263-281

26) Larsen, J. A. (ed.) (2002). Arms Control: Cooperative Security in a Changing Environment. USA: Lynne Rienner Publishers.

27) Loftin, C. & McDowall, D. (1981). One with gun gets you two: Mandatory sentencing and firearm violence in Detroit. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences, 455, 150–167.

28) Loftin, C. & Robert, H. (1974). Regional sub-culture of violence: An examination of the Gastril – Hackney thesis. American Sociological Review, 39, 714 –724.

29) Messner, S. (1983). Regional and racial effects on the urban homicide rate: The sub-culture of violence revisited. American Journal of Sociology, 88, 997-1007.

30) Miller, J. M., Cohen, A. K. & Bryant, K. M. (1997) On the Demise and Morrow of Subculture Theories of Crime and Delinquency. Journal of Crime and Justice 20(2) 167- Accessed September 28, 2023

31) Morgan, S. B. (2020). Report on small arms, mass atrocities and migration in Nigeria.

32) Moses, J.M. & Ngomba, J.L. (2017). Small arms and light weapons proliferation in the early 21st century: The Nigerian case. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 6 (11) 1638-1652. https://www.researchgate.net/

33) Okeke, V.O.S. & Oji R. O. (2014). The Nigerian State and the Proliferation Small Arm and Light Weapons in the Northern Part of Nigeria. Journal of Educational and Social Research MCSER Publishing 4(1).

34) Raheem, S. O (2015). Boko Haram: The Menace of Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation in Nigeria. International Academic Journal of Educational Research 1(1)16-33

35) Raosaheb, M. V. (2016). Existentialism: A philosophic stand point to existence over essence by Soren Kierkegaard. The South Asian Academic Research Chronicle. A Peer Reviewed Refereed and Indexed International Inter-disciplinary Open Access Monthly e-Journal. III (1) ISSN 2454 – 1109. www.thesaarc.com

36) Rimmey, D. R. (2018). U.S. Arms Sales and Defence Trade. Department of State Services. Accessed January 5, 2023 from: https://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/fs/2018/280506.htm

37) Salihu, M. & Ozden, K. (2020). The Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the North East Nigeria: The role of the United Nations. International Journal of Social Sciences 20. 46-63 Accessed September 28, 2023.

38) Small Arms Survey (2005). Violent exchanges: The use of small arms in conflict. Retrieved April 15, 2023 from http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs

39) Soetan, S. O. (2017). Proliferation of Arms and Security Challenges in Nigeria. International Journal of History and Cultural Studies (IJHCS) 3(3) 33-38 www.arcjournals.org

40) Thornberry, T.P., Cohen, B., Krisberg, B. (eds.) (2002). Crime and Justice at the Millennium. Boston, MA: Springer.

41) Umoru, H. (2020). There are 350m illegal arms in Nigeria. In vanguard of November 25, 2020.

42) United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNRCPDA) (2017) Factsheet.

43) Uwazie, U. E; Albert, I. O & Uzogwe, G. N. (1999). Inter-ethnic and religious conflict resolution in Nigeria. Maryland: Lexington Books.

44) Vold, G. B. (1958). Theoretical Criminology. New York: Oxford University Press.

45) Wellford, C. F. & Soule, D A (2002). Subculture of violence and beyond. Crime and justice at the millennium 23(2), 15-30. Accessed September 28, 2023.

46) Wolfgang, M. & Ferracuti, F. (1982). The subculture of violence: Towards an integrated theory in criminology. Beverly Hills: Sage.

VOlUME 04 Issue 04 APRIL 2025