ABSTRACT
The study examined the proliferation of small arms and light weapon on insecurity in Benue State. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) has exacerbated insecurity in Benue State, Nigeria, posing significant challenges to peace, stability, and development in the region. Benue State has long been plagued by intercommunal conflicts, often fueled by disputes over land, resources, and political power. The easy availability of SALW has amplified these tensions, escalating violence and causing widespread fear and displacement among communities. The influx of SALW has empowered various non-state actors, including criminal gangs, militant groups, and ethnic militias, to assert control and influence through coercion and violence. These weapons facilitate attacks, raids, and reprisals, leading to a cycle of retaliation and counterretaliation, further deepening societal divisions and mistrust. The study adopted the survey research design. The study examined the sources of small arms proliferation in Nigeria; examined the underlying conditions that propel insecurity in Benue State, outline the major targets of insecurity in the Benue State, how bandits and other criminals carry out acts of insecurity in the Benue State and examined how insecurity affect the Benue State. The study found that the proliferation of SALW hampers efforts to establish effective law enforcement and governance structures, undermining the rule of law and perpetuating a culture of impunity. Despite government initiatives to curb the illicit arms trade and enhance security measures, porous borders, corruption, and weak regulatory mechanisms continue to facilitate the flow of weapons into the region. The study recommends that the proliferation of SALW in Benue State demands a multifaceted approach, including improved border control, disarmament programs, community dialogue, and socioeconomic development initiatives aimed at addressing underlying grievances and fostering reconciliation. Without concerted action, the cycle of insecurity fueled by small arms and light weapons is likely to persist, hindering the prospects for peace and prosperity in Benue State.
