THE PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS IN SELECTED JURISDICTIONS: THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS

ABSTRACT

The study is an examination of the proliferation of the small arms and light weapons Nigeria and Africa. Small Arms and Light Weapons are becoming endemic in Nigeria and the African region and the rate of accumulation is increasing with their concomitant destabilizing effect. This study however focuses on small arms and light weapons in Nigeria by looking at the intersection that have fuelled the demand for small arms and light weapons in Nigeria within the context of the interplay between the internal governance process and external forces and the legal regime for combating SALW proliferation and on how best to improve same and concludes that a successful resolution of SALW syndrome in Nigeria requires a holistic approach that addresses the underlying factors creating the demands for SALW and the sources of supply, rather than treating the SALW problem as an independent or a compartmentalized issue. The research concludes with a suggestion for NGOs, CBO, Government and all and sundry to combine efforts in combating small arms proliferation in Nigerian and Africa.