International Journal of Law

Authors
Ebele Gloria Ogwuda

Abstract
The unlawful proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) has become one of the main security challenges Nigeria and the entire world is grappling with. The availability and trafficking of these weapons fuels political instability, communal clashes, insurgency, kidnapping, militancy, etc. and is also detrimental to national security and achieving sustainable development in Nigeria. It is against this backdrop that the paper evaluates the increasing and alarming proliferation of Small arms and light weapons (SALWs) in Nigeria. Laying the foundation for discussion, it clarifies key terms such as proliferation, small arms and light weapons. The paper also examines historical development of SALWs in Nigeria, causes of proliferation of SALW and implications for Nigeria, as well as existing legal/institutional framework on SALWs in Nigeria. Using the doctrinal approach, the paper posits that proactive laws and policies such as the whistleblowing policy on corruption will effectively reduce proliferation of arms.