Non-state Actors Possess 6.145m Small Arms Nationwide
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The number of small arms in the hands of civilian non-state actors nationwide is estimated at 6,145,000, a new report by SMB Intelligence and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) has revealed. As shown in the report, however, the armed forces and law enforcement agencies collectively account for 586,600 firearms, representing about 8.71% of the total small arms and firearms in circulation. These figures were revealed in the 2020 SBM-OSIWA report on Small Arms, Mass Atrocities and Migration in Nigeria, supporting their findings with evidence from the Small Arms Survey, a publication of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland. The 73-page report lamented that arms proliferation “is a major problem for governments and citizens who are concerned about its devastating impact on internal security.” Globally, the report cited a 2017 research, which estimated that there were at least one billion small arms in circulation. Out of that number, the report claimed that about 87.5% or 875 million of those arms “are in the hands of civilians, while law enforcement agencies around the world account for a meagre 2% of that total. “There are over 40,009,000 small arms in the hands of civilians or non-state actors in Africa, with 10,972,000 of that number concentrated in the West African sub region where Nigeria is the dominant power and most populous state,” the report noted. In Nigeria’s case, specifically, the report put the number of small arms in circulation in Nigeria, in the hands of civilian non-state actors at 6,145,000, which accounted for about 91.29%.
According to the SBM Intelligence, the armed forces and law enforcement collectively account for 586,600 firearms.
It noted that the worrying trend of arms proliferation in Nigeria “has had an impact on Nigeria’s internal security, with various armed groups using their access to firearms to challenge the state’s monopoly of violence and lead to the deaths and injury of thousands of innocent citizens.
“This has negatively impacted Nigeria’s internal security and international standing, as Nigeria is now designated the third most impacted nation by terrorism, according to recent reports, and in the unenviable company of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria,” the report said.
It explained that the proliferation of small weapons in Southern Nigeria combined with already existing state corruption and mass unemployment “has contributed to the rising criminality and violence in the region.
“Towards the end of the Abacha Regime in 1998, armed robbery had begun to stifle commercial activities in Aba, a commercial centre in South East Nigeria. This drove some traders to organise vigilante groups to protect themselves and their businesses.
“This initiative which later evolved into the Bakassi Boys eventually spread to other South Eastern states such as Anambra and Imo state which at the time had serious crime problems.
“South Eastern Nigeria is known for entrepreneurship. And the general poor security situation facilitated a trade in small arms in major markets such as the Ariaria Market in Aba and the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State.
“The relative lack of economic activity in South Western Nigeria outside Lagos has resulted in high youth unemployment and resultant violence and arms proliferation,” it explained.
Categorically, the report deduced that arms proliferation “has helped fuel inter-ethnic violence and violent land disputes. Notable examples include Arogbo-Ijaw and Ilaje in Ondo state; Ife and Modakeke in Osun state and Saki-Iseyin and Hausa-Fulani in Oyo State. “
Manchester City extended their winning run to 20 matches and moved 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League as John Stones’ second-half strike was enough to secure victory over a resilient West Ham United.
Stones Àred home his fourth goal of the season from Riyad Mahrez’s neat lay-oͿ to keep Pep Guardiola’s side in control of the title race.
Fourth-placed West Ham gave City a decent game at Etihad Stadium and fought back to level through Michail Antonio before the break, after Stones’ centraldefensive partner Ruben Dias.
After about 20 minutes, City midÀelder Kevin de Bruyne lined up a free-kick, about 40 yards out, to the right of the West Ham box.
The execution was terrible - the ball barely got oͿ the ground and ran straight into the wall, allowing the visitors to clear. It was a notable moment because it was so unusual. Manchester City extended their winning run to 20 matches and moved 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League as John Stones’ second-half strike was enough to secure victory over a resilient West Ham United.
Stones Àred home his fourth goal of the season from Riyad Mahrez’s neat lay-oͿ to keep Pep Guardiola’s side in control of the title race.
Fourth-placed West Ham gave City a decent game at Etihad Stadium and fought back to level through Michail Antonio before the break, after Stones’ central-defensive partner Ruben Dias had put the hosts in front.
But Guardiola, likened to celebrity chef Heston Blumenthalby Hammers counterpart David Moyes before Saturday’s Àxture, once again came up with the right ingredients as his side improved following the second-half introductions of Gabriel Jesus and Phil Foden.
City’s unbeaten record now stretches to 27 games and they will equal their longest run without defeat if they do not lose against Wolves on Tuesday.
After about 20 minutes, City midÀelder Kevin de Bruyne lined up a free-kick, about 40 yards out, to the right of the West Ham box.
The execution was terrible - the ball barely got oͿ the ground and ran straight into the wall, allowing the visitors to clear. It was a notable moment because it was so unusual.
What De Bruyne did with another crossing opportunity from a similar position not long afterwards was more in keeping with the Belgian’s normal standards.
Delivered with his left foot, the ball curled towards goal, too far out for standin West Ham keeper Darren Randolph to come for, and begged Dias to head it home.