APPRAISING THE MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF ARMS PROLIFERATION ON INTERNAL SECURITY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper placed emphases on the concerns of arms proliferation on Nigeria's internal security environment since the return to civil rule in 1999. It argues that Nigeria’s internal security is under serious threat occasioned by prevalence of conflict and violence, kidnapping, banditry, killing, internal population dis-articulation, and destruction of lives and property in the country. This development can be attributed to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW). The paper adopts qualitative research method by utilizing materials from secondary sources of data collection such as books, journal articles, and other sources, The paper noted that the reason why there is insurgency, terrorism, secessionist agitation, electoral violence, illegal mining, rural banditry and porous borders is because of the ease of getting arms and ammunition. The paper recommends effective border policing through the use artificial intelligence in manning the borders. The paper also suggests sufficient regulations for the proliferation of virtual money across the country.