CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Considering the fact that many developed nations throughout the world, such as France and the United States, have long since gained independence from colonial masters, the goal of integration and unity remains a top priority due to its critical role in the nation's growth. Each country's potential to be autonomous and prosper economically is dependent on social peace and political stability, which can only be attained via citizen unity and national integration, especially in a multicultural society (Lock, 2019).
Because the majority of African countries are multiethnic, national integration has been a top priority for the continent's leaders (Suberu, 2016). In today's world, there is an explosion of knowledge, population, and atoms. The subject of national integration in African society is now being addressed as a top priority by the government and other national stakeholders (Suberu, 2016). A number of African countries are facing various security difficulties and conflicts as a result of a variety of issues that impede national unity (Mandy, 2012).
In Nigeria, national integration has proven to be a complex and ongoing process involving the interaction of institutional and sociological elements (Lawal, 2014). Coercive (military), identitive (sociopsychological), and utilitarian (economic) variables have all interacted. The effective utilization of any or all of these elements will determine the country's current level of integration and the effectiveness of future attempts to expedite integration (Williams, 2008). This research is deemed relevant in light of recent patterns in violence in Nigeria as a result of arms proliferation.
Proliferation of arms has become one of the most prevalent problems of this generation, accounting for a bigger proportion of global human mortality (Ibeanu, 2015). Armed conflicts claim the lives of tens of thousands of innocent civilians each year, while the number of persons injured or disabled as a result of armaments proliferation and misuse is 13 times higher than the number of people murdered (Small Arms Survey, 2015). There are several incidents of indirect deaths and injuries resulting from increased pervasive security circumstances, higher disease morbidity, limited easy access to health facilities, and starvation, in addition to deaths and injuries caused by war.
The situation in Africa is concerning because the continent is the least developed and the most vulnerable in terms of peace, security, and stability. Africa has one of the world's biggest concentrations of weaponry (Naylor, 2015). The "strongest expression of the injustice in the paradox of wealth that characterizes conflicts in Africa; the fact that those who produce wealth are the poorest and those who are wealthy take the wealth by force" is the explanation for this situation, which is marked by economic underdevelopment (poverty) on the one hand and gun proliferation and armed conflicts on the other (Ibeanu, 2015).
Nigeria is a third-world country where the proliferation of this armament has reached crisis proportions, and the country's society has become totally militarized and entangled in the gun culture. Arms proliferation, according to UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/50/70, has contributed to insecurity in Nigeria, including cattle raiding and armed robberies, kidnapping, intertribal conflicts in Nigeria between the north and other ethnic groups in the south, militancy groups, and, most recently, the Boko Haram insurgency. It's difficult to say how many guns exist in the country because weapons are found everywhere, including hamlets, villages, towns, and state capitals. Given the difficulty of legally purchasing a gun, the majority of small guns in Nigeria are likely to be carried illegally, according to Hazen and Horner (2017). Because they are illegal, it is difficult to track their movements and possession. Weapons enter the country through land borders and maritime ports in such large quantities that they are difficult to track. According to Okeke and Oji (2014), Nigeria is a source/origin, transit, and destination of arms at the same time.
The proliferation of illicit weaponry and munitions is one of the greatest risks to Nigerian national cohesion today, as it is in many other developing countries throughout the world. Despite the lack of trustworthy and precise data on the amount of arms and weapons in the country, security experts believe that a considerable number of infantry weapons and civilian style rifles, including pistols and revolvers, are in the hands of private persons and are used in ethnic-related violence. To put it frankly, politicians in Nigeria are currently awash in illegally acquired firearms (Emeh 2012). Without a question, armaments and weapons have become the primary source of enmity among Nigeria's various ethnic groups. National integration has been severely harmed by the links between arms and weaponry.
The proliferation of weaponry and munitions, which leads to internal struggles such as political assassinations, religious riots, communal, ethnic, and sectarian wars, is a key barrier for Nigerian integration. All of this jeopardizes national unity and reduces people's willingness to participate in any unity meeting. Due to common perceptions of ethnic feelings and nepotism, it may also rise to widespread skepticism, dread, and apathy (Bekoe, 2017). This trend has resulted in a slew of problems for national integration (World Bank Conflict Prevention and Reconstruction Unit 2013).
1.2 Statement of the problem
Nigeria is one of the frontline victims of prolonged internal strife occasioned by arms proliferation; and the worst victim of this growing violence and the attendant repercussions in Nigeria. The proliferation of arms in Nigeria was alarming. Today, the Federal Government of Nigeria cannot estimate the amounts of arms and weapons in the Country. How these weapons become available to non-state actors; and the repercussions of the life lingering armed conflicts on national integration has remained a national issue.
The causes of the proliferation of armes is well documented in the literature, for example, crime, revolts, subversion, sabotage, religious crisis, communal conflicts, social agitations, micro-nationalism, insurrection, terrorism, insurgency, riots, militancy, electoral violence, political violence, social unrest, ethnic tensions, cross border smuggling, porous borders, black racketeering, local manufacturing, privatization of security, insecurity, poverty, economic crisis, mass unemployment, among others. However, these weapons transit into the country and into the hands of armed groups, national dealers, political and community leaders, and individuals.
Sources of arms include arms dealers, serving and retired military and police officers, returning peacekeepers, armed groups across borders, and other individual's craft production provides a domestic source of arms. Demand is the key to understanding the trade: as long as insecurity persists, and economic and political opportunities for gain exist through the use of force, demand for small arms will continue to rise. Usang et al (2014); Kansas (2019); Isiaka (2010); Aver et al (2014); Omitola & Awotayo (2016) have carried out studies on arms proliferation, but not in relation with national integration, hence, the current research is considered timely.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The main objective of this research is to analyze the relationship between arms proliferation and national integration in Nigeria.
Thye following specific objectives are to:
- examine the relationship between arms proliferation and political integration in Nigeria.
- analyze the relationship between arms proliferation and social integration in Nigeria.
- determine the relationship between arms proliferation and cultural integration in Nigeria.
- find out the relationship between arms proliferation and economic integration in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
- How does arms proliferation affect political integration in Nigeria?
- What is the relationship between arms proliferation and social integration in Nigeria?
- Is there any relationship between arms proliferation and cultural integration in Nigeria?
- What is the relationship between arms proliferation and economic integration in Nigeria?
1.5 Significance of the study
This study is pertinent at this time as many residents of the Nigeria has experienced violent conflicts, armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism as a result of proliferation of arms and issues that are related to national disintegration. This research will be a contribution to the body of literature in the area of arms proliferation and national integration in Nigeria, thereby constituting the empirical literature for future research in the subject area.
Findings from this study will enlighten the government, security agents, researchers, human rights groups, civil society organizations, community leaders and the residents in Nigeria on the need to address the issues of arms proliferation and national integration that has led to violence, taking of lives, destruction of property, extrajudicial killings, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, terrorism, ethnic cleansing and other forms of armed conflicts.
1.6 Methodology
This study will be qualitative in nature and will employ the use of secondary data in gathering information for the study; and will rely on published books, articles, peer reviewed journals, reports and addresses including sources from the internet. Data will be analyzed using document analysis method. Sources will be properly referenced to avoid plagiarism.
1.7 Scope of the study
This study will cover the relationship between arms proliferation and national integration in Nigeria. It will also cover the relationship between arms proliferation and political integration, social integration, cultural integration and economic integration in Nigeria. It will also cover issues on the subject between 2015 and 2021. This period was chosen based on the latest trends in arm proliferation and that the nation has not been divided as it is within this period.
1.8 Definition of terms
Arms proliferation: is the markets of both authorized and illicit small arms and light weapons, as well as their parts, accessories, and ammunition.
National integration: is the awareness of a common identity amongst the citizens of a country. It means that though the individuals belong to different communities, castes, religions, cultures and regions and speak different languages, all of them recognize the fact that they are one.
Political integration: refers to the integration of components within political systems.
Social integration: is the process during which newcomers or minorities are incorporated into the social structure of the host society. Social integration, together with economic integration and identity integration, are three main dimensions of a newcomers' experiences in the society that is receiving them.
Cultural integration: when individuals from one culture adopt practices from another culture without diminishing their own.
Economic integration: is the unification of economic policies between different states, through the partial or full abolition of tariff and non-tariff restrictions on trade.
