Author(s) :

COLLINS MATHIAS OKPE , SANUSI MUHAMMAD LAWAL, PhD.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

The proliferation of small arms can be seen as one the major instigator and motivations of conflict in almost all societies in the world. Small arms have been used indiscriminately in various conflicts in Nigeria and specifically intercommunal conflicts. Intercommunal conflicts have seriously graduated from the use of sticks, spears, cutlasses, bows and arrows to the use of various small arms which includes, pistols, pump actions, Ak47’s, Bazooka, double barrel weapons and others. This intercommunal conflicts in Cross River State has led to loss of lives, properties and internal displacements. This research discusses the issues surrounding the proliferation of Small arms and how it has had an impact on the intercommunal conflicts in Cross River State. The study is adopted the realistic group theory and the frustration aggression theory for the study. The study adopted the hybrid method of data collection which entailed that data was collected from 380 questionnaire respondents who represented the entire population. The study arrived at the findings that that there is the presence of Small Arms in Abi, Ikom and Obubura local government. The study also arrived at the findings that most of the respondents affirmed that the major source of Small Arms proliferation in the local governments is through cross border movement. The study also discovered that most of the respondents affirmed that there has been an enormous utilization of Small arms in the intercommunal conflict in the three local governments in Cross River State. The study concluded that the surplus presence of Small Arms in the three local government has increased the lethality and disastrousness of the conflict which has led to so much damage to people residing in this communities. Thriving communities have also be left as waste lands sometimes because of the fear that these conflicts might reoccur thereby affecting agricultural and livestock production. The study recommends that there should be involvement of the traditional rulers in this various communities in the conflict resolution process. This is necessary because of the reverence and respect this community leaders wield within the community and the people. And also, there should be proper poverty alleviation programmes which will ensure that youths who are main participants of this intercommunal conflicts are gainfully employed.

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