By Abdullahi Alhaji Ibrahim
No doubt, the influx of illegal arms, some very sophisticated, into Nigeria has become a source of concern. Indeed, it is sad that Nigeria accounts for over seventy percent of illegal arms and weapons currently circulating within the West African sub-region. As a matter of fact, with the grim reality of being a major consumer of small arms and light weapons, it has almost become difficult for federal government to determine the exact quantity of illegal arms circulating or coming into the country.
Undoubtedly, these small arms and light weapons being the remnants of conflicts in some parts of African as well as licensed weapons being stolen or lost, have played a major role in aiding crimes and armed violence in the country.
Needless to say that more than half of the illegal arms ammunition and light weapons smuggled into the country are now in the hands of non-state actors such as armed robbers, kidnappers, insurgents and other criminal elements who masquerade themselves as militias.
In fact, these groups of individuals have been operating with so much confidence due to the kind of sophisticated weapons at their disposal.
Regrettable, their activities have had devastating effect on development, governance and everyday life of Nigerians as weapons which are continually flowing into the country like sachet water are being used in communal conflicts, feuds, human right abuses among other criminal acts.
The question that readily comes to minds is why the proliferation of fire arms in spite of measures being put in place by the nation’s security agencies at curtailing the ugly trend.
The answer is not far-fetching as the nation’s borders and water ways are too porous thus, making it possible for all manner of intruders, smugglers and merchants of arms and weapons to enter into the country with ease.
Other contributing factors include lack of commitment on the part of government to check transnational arms deal and the demand for arms, lack of arms control legislation and enforcement as well as the heated political climate which has in recent times been reinforced by insecurity in the country.
Be that as it may, it behooves on security agencies to rise up to the occasion by putting in place stringent measure aimed at addressing the porosity of the nation’s border and water-ways especially by ensuring effective control of immigrants, merchants and other intruders who often troop into Nigeria to make brisk business to sell illegal arms.
Since the overwhelming challenge of the influx of illegal arms and sophisticated improvised Explosive device, I.E.D materials into the country hinders efficient and effective fight against terrorism.
Addressing the problem would also require the harmonization and standardization of legislations and mechanisms by government at all levels.
Thus, the National Assembly has a great role to play in that direction in addition to expediting action on passing the bill for the establishment of a strong agency with full powers to coordinate and implement the activities of people with illegal arms and weapons in line with the ECOWAS convention on small arms and light weapons.
Equally, there is also the need to monitor and regulate the activities of gunsmiths since most of them serve as major outlets in the manufacture and distribution of small arms and light weapons.
This will go a long way in stemming the tide of crime and criminality in the country particularly communal violence which is on the increase in some parts of the country.
In addition, concerted effort through information and intelligence sharing between communities and security agencies is needed to expose individuals or groups who are in possession of illegal arms.
Abdullahi Alhaji Ibrahim is a 400 Level Student in the Mass Communication Department of Bayero University, Kano
