The Role of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Trafficking in Fueling Insurgency and Banditry in Nigeria
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Abstract
The trafficking and proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) constitute a central driver of insurgency and banditry in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East and North-West geopolitical zones. This paper examines how illicit cross-border arms flows, largely originating from conflict theatres in the Sahel, sustain violent non-state actors such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and organised bandit groups. Anchored in Transnational Organised Crime Theory and Resource Mobilisation Theory, the study adopts a qualitative research design based on secondary data drawn from academic literature, policy documents, and institutional reports published between 2024 and 2025. Evidence from United Nations agencies, regional security bodies, and humanitarian organisations is analysed to illuminate the structures of SALW trafficking networks, the mechanisms through which weapons are acquired and circulated, and their effects on conflict escalation, civilian displacement, and national stability. The findings demonstrate that profit-driven transnational criminal networks exploit porous borders, weak governance, and corruption to supply arms, while armed groups leverage these weapons as critical resources for recruitment, territorial control, and operational resilience. The study concludes that SALW trafficking not only prolongs insurgency and banditry but also undermines state authority and exacerbates humanitarian crises across affected regions. It recommends strengthening border management through technology-enabled surveillance, deepening regional cooperation under ECOWAS frameworks, enhancing intelligence sharing, and expanding community-based disarmament and livelihood programmes. Addressing both the supply and demand dimensions of SALW is essential for achieving sustainable peace and security in Nigeria.
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References
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