Of the many problems facing Nigeria since democracy was restored in May 1999 after decades of military rule, of particular urgency is the proliferation of small arms in the country, says Mohamed Ibrahim.
The wide availability of small arms has exacerbated the more than thirty ethnic, religious or political outbreaks of violence in the country since the return to civilian rule. Ibrahim also blames growing violence on poverty, inequality, a breakdown in moral values and institutionalised corruption after years of military rule, and a weakened state unable to meet the basic needs of Nigerians.
At the same time that ethnic and religious violence has increased, so has crime, and Ibrahim cites a surge in robberies and kidnappings. Nigeria has been in the international spotlight after a series of kidnappings of foreigners, including oil company executives. Youth gangs have also formed in the oil rich Niger Delta where they have been involved in clashes with the security forces and the private armies hired by oil companies to protect them.
Mostly ethnic or religious based vigilante groups have also begun to target suspected criminals involved in robberies and kidnappings, pushing aside an inept and poorly armed police force.
In 1996 Nigeria signed a moratorium on the importation, exportation or manufacture of light weapons. According to Ibrahim, such international accords must be followed up with serious efforts to address poverty, corruption, regional inequalities and the unemployment and marginalisation of Nigerian youth.
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