The importation of illegal small guns and light weapons is the reason behind the security difficulties in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria, according to the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) on Tuesday.
Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, the institute’s director general, made this statement in Abuja at a policy roundtable on the security issues facing the nation’s southeast geopolitical zone.
Small arms are defined as kinetic projectile weapons, which include handguns, revolvers, pistols, derringers, and machine pistols. On the other hand, light weapons are infantry-portable weapons that can either fire explosive munitions, act as crew-served kinetic weapons, or are incendiary devices.
He claims that gunmen, other covert groups, and the violent actions of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) militant branch have recently resulted in violent extremism plaguing the South-East region, which includes Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo.
The easy access to illegal small arms and light weapons has been a major contributing factor to the instability in the nation overall as well as in the Southeast region (SALWs).
Studies have shown that the unabated level of insecurity has made it possible for local actors with the means to create and manufacture firearms locally.
“A significant portion of these weapons in circulation are also brought into the nation through drug trafficking from the Sahel region.
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Additionally, the trafficking of illegal weapons has persisted, further militarising our communities as the effects of climate change drive people to relocate to other habitats in search of alternate sources of income.
Along with the rise of light and small weaponry and the threats they pose, the zone is also dealing with a major drug usage issue.
In addition to maintaining violent tendencies, the spread of illegal drugs has made it harder for young people to critically analyse the propaganda of some of these violent extremist groups, particularly when it comes to targeting the State.
“Yes, a considerable portion of young people have fallen prey to extremist propaganda because they are under the influence of drugs,” he stated.
Ochogwu stated that Nigerian security and law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, and others, should continue to be deployed in order to combat the growing state of insecurity, particularly in the South East zone.
Long-term policy solutions are required to promote peaceful coexistence, sound governance, and the fortification of our country’s peace and security framework.
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons’ South-East Zonal Coordinator, retired Maj.-Gen. Okechukwu Ugo, pledged in his speech to see to it that the spread of SALW is restrained and tracked.
We have a duty to lend our full support to the government’s efforts to reduce the security threats that Nigeria faces in the wake of the needless loss of life and property caused by the proliferation of illegal small and light weapons.
“To guarantee that we eradicate illicit small arms and light weapons in the Southeast region, we will persist in collaborating with the IPCR and other security organisations,” stated Ugo.
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