CHAPTER 1----INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The effort of many nations to achieve peace and stability in their domain and in the international scene continually seem to be far from being attained due to the growing rate of violence, terrorism, conflict in many regions in the world. This is predominantly due to the proliferation of small arms and weapons of war circulating freely in the hands of unauthorized persons. It is estimated that about 875 million small arms and light weapons are in circulation globally which constitute threat to international peace and security. According to Global Facilitation Network Security Sector Reform, countries as France, Russia, China, UK and USA are responsible for 88 percent of the world’s exports in conventional arms. In Africa, the proliferation of conventional arms is responsible for the prolonged conflict, violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and threat to national and regional security. In Nigeria, arms conflict, terrorism, communal clashes, armed robbery, kidnapping are perpetrated freely due to the proliferation of illegal weapons of war and the aid of Small arms and light weapons. The study seeks to appraise the quest for global security and the politics of weapon control in Africa and the Nigerian experience.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The increase in circulation of illegal small arms and light weapon constitute a great security challenge and threat to socio-economic development, human security, peace and the stability of nations globally and in Nigeria. In Africa, it has resulted in growing arms conflict in the region undermining political stability and exacting devastating impacts on human lives and state security. The case of Nigeria shows that this proliferation of illegal weapons of war are responsible to the growing wave of terrorism, communal clashes, arm robbery and other social menace in the country. The effort of many nations to achieve peace and stability in their domain and in the international scene continually seem to be far from been attained due to the growing rate of violence, terrorism, conflict in many regions in the world. This is predominantly due to the proliferation of small arms and weapons of war circulating freely in the hand of unauthorized persons.
The problem confronting the study is to investigate quest for global security and the politics of weapon control in Africa and the Nigerian experience.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main objective of the study is to investigate the quest for global security and the politics of weapon control in Africa and the Nigerian experience. The specific objectives of the study include;
- To determine if there is any weapon control law in Nigeria.
- To appraise the effect of weapon control on security in Nigeria.
- To determine the impact of the proliferation of fire arms on the Nigerian economy.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
i. Is there any weapon control law in Nigeria?
ii. What is the effect of weapon control on security in Nigeria?
iii. What is the impact of the proliferation of fire arms on the Nigerian economy?
1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
Ho1: There is no significant relationship between global peace and weapon control.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study shall proffer relevant information on the issue of the quest for global security and the politics of weapon control in Africa and the Nigerian experience.
It shall serve useful purpose to policymakers.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study focuses on the appraisal of the quest for global security and the politics of weapon control in Africa and the Nigerian experience.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The researcher was confronted with logistics and geographical constraints.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
SECURITY DEFINED
Security is defined as state of survival in a condition of anarchy and self-help in an international system.
SMALL ARMS DEFINED
These constitute those arms which are used by a single person such as firearms, bomb.
