PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS (SALW) AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE NIGERIA NATIONAL SECURITY

The proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Nigeria poses a significant threat to national security and undermines socioeconomic development. This study explores the root causes, consequences, and potential responses to the growing presence and illicit circulation of SALW across the country. Guided by the Failed State Theory and employing a qualitative research design based predominantly on secondary data, the research identifies the key drivers of arms proliferation as porous national borders, institutional weaknesses, endemic political corruption, and the operations of insurgent and criminal networks. The analysis reveals that the widespread availability of these weapons has intensified security threats, fueling insurgencies, militant activities, and organized crime. Moreover, the socioeconomic fallout includes disruptions in agricultural productivity, trade, and investment, all of which contribute to rising poverty levels and hinder development efforts. The study concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for multidimensional, holistic, and strategic interventions to tackle the systemic issues that enable the spread of SALW in Nigeria.