STATE RESPONSE, ETHNIC NATIONALISM AND THE PROLIFERATION OF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS IN SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

David Amadike Wokocha ¹

Roberts Osatohanmwen Asemota ²

Tyover Benjamin Amena ³

Peace and Conflict Unit, School of General Studies, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria ^{1, 2 & 3}

Corresponding Email: da.wokocha@mouau.ed.ng ¹

Abstract

Tensions resulting from ethnic nationalist agitations in the South East region of Nigeria in recent years show that the geopolitical zone has been militarized through the proliferation of arms. Till date little effort has been made by the Federal government of Nigeria to understand the dynamics of the current flow of small arms and light weaponry (SALWs) so as to reduce the presence of arms within the region. The Federal government of Nigeria however, has used tensions in the region to justify internal military operations – sometimes with serious consequences for the civilian population in the region – in its efforts to restore normalcy. In response the ethnic nationalist militia are manipulating the crisis in the region to establish a war-time economy for themselves as they perpetuate illegitimate activities to sustain their agitation. With the absence of any peace agreement or political negotiations the conflict continues hidden away from the international community, engulfing civilians and security personnel alike and in some cases affecting whole communities as it progresses. Armed groups continue to fragment and shift alliances as sub-conflicts between different political groups within the region are increasingly common. This paper argues in favour of engaging in complex negotiations and forging of allegiances in order to establish a culture of peace between the south east, other geopolitical regions and the Federal government. This paper relies on primary qualitative data collected from in depth interviews and also secondary data extracted from materials such as publications and text books. Data collected were content analysed.

Keywords: Ethnic Nationalism, Conflict, Security, Small Arms, State