ROLE OF LIBRARY IN PROVIDING RESILIENCE TO THE SOCIETY IN THE ERA OF PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper focused on the role of libraries in providing resilience to the society in the era of proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria. The sudden increase in the influx of small arms and light weapons in the country calls for urgent attention of all the stakeholders in Nigeria in view of the devastating effect on human lives and the economy. Secondary sources of information and other documented sources were consulted. The incidents of armed robbery, ethno-religious crisis, economic sabotage, kidnappings, banditry and assassinations involving the use of SALWs are now regular phenomena in the country. The paper identified and discussed the various ways through which the society can control SALWs which include education, developmental programmes, awareness-raising, confidence building, campaign, intelligence sharing, weapon collection programme, grassroots committees and cooperation with neighbouring countries. It further identified and explained how library in collaboration with the civil society organizations can exert a special influence over SALWs control activities as they often have the trust of the communities where they are located for providing resilience to the society in the era of small arms proliferation. It was therefore recommended among others that recovered arm need to be immediately and systematically destroyed in order to prevent further proliferation and reduce the risk of collected arms leaking out of the security forces’ possession.