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Small Arms and Light Weapons Proliferation in Nigeria: Re-structuring National Security Architecture for Optimal Results

The global community continues to grapple with Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) proliferation and their use in many conflicts. This phenomenon portends grave danger to world peace and security. This study seeks to achieve three objectives namely, trace the causes of small arms and light weapons proliferation in Nigeria, examine the security implications of the availability of SALWs in the country, and make a case for restructuring of the current security architecture. The study employs the desktop research design and, using content analysis of secondary data, including journal articles, agency reports, and seminar/conference papers, argues that the implications of SALWs proliferation on the nation’s security, such as terrorism, kidnapping, armed banditry, cattle rustling, are enormous and threaten the soul of the nation. It finds that porous borders, corruption, and globalization precipitate small arms and light weapons proliferation in Nigeria. It concludes that proliferation of SALWs is engendered by criminal networks operating in various shades and manners across Nigeria. Thus, to tackle the menace, the entire security architecture as currently composed should be re-structured by way of decentralisation and devolution of powers and authority to achieve optimal results.