IMPLICATIONS OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS PROLIFERATION ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN WUKARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA STATE

Abstract

The spread of illegal arms across societies in recent times accounts for high rate of human mortality and security in the world. This study assessed the implications of small arms and light weapons proliferation in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. Two major research instruments questionnaire and in-depth were administered to randomized and clustered sampling 396 respondents drawn from the study area. Questionnaires were analyzed using simple percentage and frequency tables while in-depth interview was analyzed through transcription. The study found that political struggle. Unemployment and poverty, porous border and communal crisis as well as land dispute among others as significant factors influencing the population of small arms and light weapons in the study area. More so, the study revealed direct relationship between proliferation of small arms and light weapons and socio-economic implication such as destruction of farms crops and property and stagnation of business activity in the study area. The study recommends creations of job opportunities, strengthening of security at the porous borders, creation of enlightenment programs among politicians, stiffer legislation against illegal arms and peaceful resolution of communal crisis and land dispute without the use of fire arms.