Infiltration of Small Arms and Light Weapons into Benue Valley and Its Impact on the Conflict Between Pastoralists and Farmers

One of the challenges confronting nation states is the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. This problem is more pronounce in developing countries where there are porous borders and weak institutions responsible for border security like Nigeria. The proliferation and misuse of small arms...

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Main Authors: Paulina Ada Akpa, Terver Akpar, Samson Aondowase Fada
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Federal University Wukari 2023-07-01
Series:International Studies Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/130
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author Paulina Ada Akpa
Terver Akpar
Samson Aondowase Fada
author_facet Paulina Ada Akpa
Terver Akpar
Samson Aondowase Fada
author_sort Paulina Ada Akpa
collection DOAJ
description One of the challenges confronting nation states is the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. This problem is more pronounce in developing countries where there are porous borders and weak institutions responsible for border security like Nigeria. The proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons in the country is progressively complex and multifaceted phenomenon that affects people and insecurity. This paper examined the infiltration of small arms and light weapons into Benue Valley and its impact on the conflict between pastoralists and farmers. Descriptive research design was adopted while the data for the study was generated from interviews and questionnaire instruments. State fragility theory provided framework for the study. Findings from the study revealed that the availability of illegal small arms and light weapons in the Benue valley has greatly aggravated farmers and herders conflict. The destabilizing accumulation and uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons by Fulani herders and farmers has increased the intensity and duration of conflict, undermines the sustainability of peace agreements, impedes the success of peace building, frustrates efforts aimed at the prevention of the conflict and hinders considerably the provision of humanitarian assistance in the affected areas. The study therefore recommends that: there is also need for an improved border management mechanism using modern and sophisticated detection equipment to discourage arms trafficking through the borders.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2756-4649
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publishDate 2023-07-01
publisher Federal University Wukari
record_format Article
series International Studies Journal
spelling doaj-art-de4c090a450b4ac7a7c3bf2d4b7f0f882025-02-10T10:01:11ZengFederal University WukariInternational Studies Journal2756-46492023-07-0171Infiltration of Small Arms and Light Weapons into Benue Valley and Its Impact on the Conflict Between Pastoralists and FarmersPaulina Ada Akpa0Terver Akpar1Samson Aondowase Fada2Benue State University MakurdiBenue State University MakurdiBenue State University Makurdi One of the challenges confronting nation states is the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. This problem is more pronounce in developing countries where there are porous borders and weak institutions responsible for border security like Nigeria. The proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons in the country is progressively complex and multifaceted phenomenon that affects people and insecurity. This paper examined the infiltration of small arms and light weapons into Benue Valley and its impact on the conflict between pastoralists and farmers. Descriptive research design was adopted while the data for the study was generated from interviews and questionnaire instruments. State fragility theory provided framework for the study. Findings from the study revealed that the availability of illegal small arms and light weapons in the Benue valley has greatly aggravated farmers and herders conflict. The destabilizing accumulation and uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons by Fulani herders and farmers has increased the intensity and duration of conflict, undermines the sustainability of peace agreements, impedes the success of peace building, frustrates efforts aimed at the prevention of the conflict and hinders considerably the provision of humanitarian assistance in the affected areas. The study therefore recommends that: there is also need for an improved border management mechanism using modern and sophisticated detection equipment to discourage arms trafficking through the borders. https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/130Armslightweaponsconflictspastoralistsfarmers
spellingShingle Paulina Ada Akpa
Terver Akpar
Samson Aondowase Fada
Infiltration of Small Arms and Light Weapons into Benue Valley and Its Impact on the Conflict Between Pastoralists and Farmers
International Studies Journal
Arms
light
weapons
conflicts
pastoralists
farmers
title Infiltration of Small Arms and Light Weapons into Benue Valley and Its Impact on the Conflict Between Pastoralists and Farmers
title_full Infiltration of Small Arms and Light Weapons into Benue Valley and Its Impact on the Conflict Between Pastoralists and Farmers
title_fullStr Infiltration of Small Arms and Light Weapons into Benue Valley and Its Impact on the Conflict Between Pastoralists and Farmers
title_full_unstemmed Infiltration of Small Arms and Light Weapons into Benue Valley and Its Impact on the Conflict Between Pastoralists and Farmers
title_short Infiltration of Small Arms and Light Weapons into Benue Valley and Its Impact on the Conflict Between Pastoralists and Farmers
title_sort infiltration of small arms and light weapons into benue valley and its impact on the conflict between pastoralists and farmers
topic Arms
light
weapons
conflicts
pastoralists
farmers
url https://wissjournals.com.ng/index.php/wiss/article/view/130
work_keys_str_mv AT paulinaadaakpa infiltrationofsmallarmsandlightweaponsintobenuevalleyanditsimpactontheconflictbetweenpastoralistsandfarmers
AT terverakpar infiltrationofsmallarmsandlightweaponsintobenuevalleyanditsimpactontheconflictbetweenpastoralistsandfarmers
AT samsonaondowasefada infiltrationofsmallarmsandlightweaponsintobenuevalleyanditsimpactontheconflictbetweenpastoralistsandfarmers