Impact of Gun Trafficking on the Political Economy of Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is a country with huge population, large landmass and numerous natural endowments on the African continent. These are not only assets for solid economic growth and development, but a vital stimulant to attract direct foreign investments. Using qualitative research method and exploring some secondary data, it is discovered that gun trafficking is affecting the polity and socioeconomic activities negatively. Gun trafficking due to porous border security and lucrative gun economy has exacerbated ethno-religious conflicts, increase banditry/abductions, herders-farmers clashes, electoral violence, discouraging direct foreign investments, displacement of farmers and other business workers from their places of abode/job, high expenditure on weapons as against other vital socioeconomic needs, and has introduced a new phraseology into Nigerian state: unknown gunmen, bandits, armed men/groups, etc. Consequently, several parts of Nigeria are insecure, socioeconomic activities are partially grounded and the country, highly indebted. Authorities are urged to rise up to these challenges embark on massive enlightenment for all crafts (herders-farmers) to live in peace, liaise with neigbouring countries to check illegal movements and trafficking in guns and other contraband items, equip security operatives for maximum productivity and overcome corruption for the safety of the personnel, the economy and the polity at large.

1. Introduction

Human beings are special creatures by God with innate abilities and potential for scientific and technological development to better their course. Development in science and technology consequent upon industrial revolution boosted the adventuristic and capitalistic tendencies of man against other creatures. For man to capture territories, explore his environment and to fiercely withstand and overcame any threat to his existence for robust socioeconomic activities, he made weapons of various sharps and sizes. In the same vein, some scientific and technological items like engine boat/ship, aero plane, vehicles assisted the Europeans to come down to Africa for adventure and socioeconomic activities, where they remain until the era of political independence for the continent, especially from the late 1950s upward.

One of the colonial legacies Africans inherited from the Europeans was military institution. Military was meant to defend the state from external aggressions and in modern days to quell internal insurrections. These cannot be done effectively without weapons-arms and ammunitions, among others wares for instance. Sovereign nation-states are allowed under United Nations’ and other sub-global conventions to obtain or make weapons without contravening international laws/conventions for their defenses. Advanced countries have been enjoying those privileges and their economy is being boosted from making and selling of weapons like Fighter Jets, Small Arms and Light Weapons, Sub-Marine, etc.

Developing economies like Nigeria on the other hand, patronize the advanced countries for their weapons, especially guns and other military wares. In line with the above background, this chapter examines Nigerian political economy; connotation, types and uses of guns; sources of guns; Nigeria’s boundaries and guns’ economy; impacts of gun trafficking on Nigerian economy; implications of gun trafficking on the Nigerian state and economy; conclusion and recommendations are outlined.

2. Research design and analysis

Qualitative research method is employed for the study. Data from books, journals, conference materials and articles from media organizations were studied. The study used descriptive analysis to draw inferences for this study.

3. Nigerian political economy

Nigeria is a country in sub-Saharan Africa, along the Gulf of Guinea that got its independence on first October, 1960 from Great Britain. As at 2021, she has the population of about 213.4 million people, occupying a landmass of about 923,768 sq. km. She shares international boundaries with Republic of Chad at the north; Republic of Benin to the west; Republic of Cameroon at the east and Guinea at the Atlantic Ocean from the southern region. Nigeria has thirty – six states with a seven hundred and seventy-four local government areas/councils. Nigeria practice presidential system of government, with bi-cameral legislators. The Senate in Nigeria is similar to the Upper House and House of Representative, similar to the Lower House in other democracies.

Nigeria is endowed with numerous natural resources or mineral deposits like petroleum, gold, uranium, coal, cocoa, hide and skins, and other yet to be tapped deposits in commercial quantities. Her large arable land, forests, valleys and rivers are great sources for food and foreign exchange earnings. Another valuable assets Nigeria have are its large population consisting of able young men and women. Agriculture was the mainstay of the Nigerian economy and a major source of her foreign exchange. After discovering crude oil in Niger/Delta region in the early 1970s, Nigeria’s oil was much sought for in the international markets and this economic fortunes made Nigeria a force to reckon with on the continent. This made her to be the sixth major producer in Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Nigeria as sovereign nation-state is endowed with great potential to truly be the economic engine of Africa.

Paradoxically however, several issues ranging from traditional/cultural, corruption, political instability, and insecurity have combined to stagnate the nation’s economy. Beside the factors mentioned above, trafficking in guns is another latest but silent factor negatively affecting the polity, human lives, social harmony/relations among people groups and socioeconomic activities generally in Nigeria.

4. Meaning and types of guns in Nigeria

Gun is any machine that is handy, that one can put or it uses bullet before beingshoot. ‘Gun is a weapon that shoots bullets or shells; a portable firearm (as rifle or handgun)’ [1]. It is a weapon that is normally obtained by states for it security operatives to ensure protection of lives and properties on and around its territories. Besides, in global politics, there is the issue of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). Small arms are said to be fire arms designed to be held in one or both hands while being fired. According to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), SALW includes ‘all crew portable, direct fire weapon of a caliber less than 50mm and would include a secondary capacity to defeat high armour and helicopters. SALW therefore includes handguns, rifles short guns, assault rifles, machine gun, shoulder-launched rockets and hand delivered explosive guns. According to the United Nations, Small Arms includes: revolvers and self-loading pistols; rifles and carbines; sub-machine guns; assault rifles; light machine guns. Light weapons includes: heavy machine guns; hand-held under barrel and mounted grenade launchers; portable anti-craft gun; portable anti-tank guns; recoilless rifles; portable launchers of anti-missile and rocket system. Others are portable launchers of anti- craft missiles system and mortars of calibers up to 100mm. Ammunitions and explosives includes: cartridges (round) for small arms; shell and missiles for light weapons; mobile containers with missiles or shell for single action, anti- craft and anti-tank system; anti-personnel and anti- tank hand grenade; land mines explosives. Nigeria as a sovereign nation-state and like other countries is not exempted from gun politics and trafficking. Hence, in Nigeria, there are local and foreign made guns being trafficked and used.

Local made guns are the ones that are made locally by blacksmiths, and other non-license operators. Such type of gun are usually made and use for hunting. They are sometimes called “dean gun”. Later, they are used for communal or ethnic conflicts. Such guns are also in various sizes and shapes. On the other hand in Nigeria also, there are foreign guns. Foreign guns are more sophisticated and durable guns than the local ones. Such guns are in various categories, and they are more efficient and destructive. Some of the common ones in Nigeria include but not limited to AK47. One of this gun is estimated to cost between #300,000 to #50,000; depending on geographical locations and the quantity needed.

5. Uses of guns in Nigeria

In Nigeria, guns are needed and used for various purposes. The underlisted are however some of the prominent uses:

1. Guns are needed by the country’s security operatives for the purposes of maintaining law and order and to defend the polity from any aggression. Owing to several intra ethnic and political conflicts, vis-a-viscross-border criminal activities, Nigeria buy and supply guns to its security operatives to be able to protect lives and properties in and across the country.

2. Guns are used for hunting in the bush. Nigeria being a large country with numerous forests, valleys and bushes, some people obtains and use guns for hunting in those bushes/forests. With the aid of their guns, hunters are able to catch bush meat and other wildlife animals for consumption and commercial purposes.

3. Guns are used for Self Defense. In Nigeria, some people own and carry guns for self-defense. Some migrant herders, some transporters of goods and services carry guns and other weapons along for protection against armed robbers and other criminals that could attack to collect/siphon their goods. Some business men and women use armed police men to escort their personnel, goods, etc to prevent attackers and other criminals.

4. Guns are used for sporting/games events. During sporting events, guns are shot to signal the commencement of the events and there are other registered clubs that use guns for sports/funs in the country.

5. Guns are used for burials. In Nigeria, guns are being shoot during burial of a prominent personalities, especial military personal, brave hunter/warrior, etc. In those events, guns are being shot either technically or sporadically.

6. Guns are used during ceremonies/festivals. In Nigeria, guns are used during ceremonies like installation/enthronement of major traditional rulers, head of hunters, marriages of a brave hunter/warrior or his families, etc. Also, during religious festivals like Sallah for the Muslims and Christmas for the Christians communities. Guns and other fireworks is shot into the air to awake people and make the ceremonies and festival memorable.

7. Guns are used for fighting. In Nigeria, guns are used in or during ethnic, communal and political fighting. Ethno-religious conflicts and even political clashes have occurred in several parts of the country which claimed several lives and properties, due the usage of guns. Possessing and deploying of guns has exacerbated conflicts between and among people groups, ethnic, interreligious groups’ clashes, etc in the country.

6. Sources of guns

There are many sources or ways through which person or people get guns in Nigeria. Some of such means/medium includes:

1. Locally created/invented guns: In Nigeria, there are many people with locally made guns like double barrel, dean gun, small pistol, etc. They are made and sold locally.

2. Imported guns. In Nigeria, some people get their guns from abroad. Some obtain it conventionally or legally while others through smugglingor trafficking using various illegal means/routes. In line with the above, most of the countries in Africa, especially those in Central Africa, like Chad, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Angola, Rwanda, Cote’deIvore, Niger, etc, get weapons smuggled into their country in the form of patron-client network for either liberation struggle, or insurgent purposes. ‘Weaponization’ of the African continent led to states collapse in many countries among which include Central Africa Republic; Liberia; Sierra Leone; Rwanda; Democratic Republic of Congo; Mali; Libya, to mention but a few ([2], p. 109). The civil strife experienced by these countries have greatly influenced the successive security irritant across the continent due largely to cross border militia activities armed with SALW trafficked into the country from abroad.

3. Donation from other nations. In Nigeria, some guns and other weapons are gotten through donation/gift to state authoritiesso as to contend criminal elements or during the civil war (Biafran war). Some countries supported both sides with weapons, especially with guns, just like other countries are supporting and donating to Ukraine to protect/defend herself against Russian invasions (2022/2023).

4. Other sources of guns are the migrants, transnational terrorists and other hard drugs syndicates who engage in importing and transporting of weapons, concealing them among their goods and other items. These, the traffickers do easily due to the porosity of the Nigerian borders: land, water and even air borders. Guns and other light weapons are neatly wrapped and hidden under some food stuff, vehicle spare parts, drugs, even in coffins/caskets, etc, by criminal elements and taken to their desired destinations into the country.

5. Breaking of security armouries. In Nigeria, some group of people invade police stations and break the armoury to carry away guns. In some instance, people attack security personnel on the way and carry their weapons for their ill uses. For instance, the Auditor General of Nigeria disclosed that over 178,459 Ak-47 rifles, assorted rifles, pistols, other arms and ammunitions are unaccounted for nationwide in 2021. It is claimed that those guns and other weapons were forcefully collected from the security operatives’ custody by criminal elements.¹ This is a great catastrophe in and for Nigeria’s security and economy.

6. Hiring of Guns. Some criminals apprehended in some parts of Nigeria with guns claimed that they hire the guns in their possession from some people. Among the people sometimes pointed at include serving and ex-service security operatives, some mercenaries, politicians, etc. As people hire or rent cars to use and return to the owners and pay for the services, some criminal elements hire guns and use them for their mission and return same to the owners with some tokens.

7. Nigeria’s boundaries and guns’ economy

The afore-mentioned sources of guns notwithstanding, is not unconnected with the nation’s poor border security and management. On a general term, the nature of the Nigeria’s poor border paradigm and management gives room for excessive in-flow of guns and other contra-band goods. It was earlier argued that porosity of nation’s border assist terrorist activities, and the Niger-Delta militants thus:

It was the search for mechanism towards controlling the flow of such weapons that led the resuscitation of the Gulf of Guinea Commission by president Obasanjo in 2003. While efforts were on toward collective security in the Gulf of Guinea, towards tackling the activities of the Niger-Delta militants, insurgent groups of the north also emerged. The sect first inflicts devastation on security installations, military and police formations, market places, schools, mosques and churches. Other activities includes targeted assassinations as well as high way attacks that render high ways leading to Maiduguri, its environs as well as roads linking Nigeria with the neighbouring state danger zones. The militia apart from using the north east as their supply routes also runs to safety in the neighbouring states especially Cameroon, when faced with overwhelming fire power of the Nigeria military ([2], p. 115).

It is obviously clear that both the Lake Chad and Gulf of Guinea axis which should boost Nigeria’s economy is also used as a transit route for arms trafficking or supply, training of terrorists, because it is strategic geopolitical spot for boosting terrorist and militia war economy. This is also affecting national and international security in and beyond the West African sub-region ([3], p. 2). Generally, the need and uses of guns in Nigeria has created and established the gun economy. In Nigeria today, guns and other weapons are sold and bought for various purposes. This creates a functional business between the manufacturers, traders and users of guns who are mostly state or non-state actors. Political economy of guns involves the totality of the symbiotic relationship between state and non-state actors in the weapon businesses. Nigeria’s socioeconomic and sociopolitical activities are sometimes affected by gun supply and marketing through the coastal areas, resulting in violent conflicts, political clashes, banditry, kidnappings, losing of lives, etc. The state is handicap of stopping these due to positive political economy of gun trafficking with global networks/linkages and the porosity of its boundary surveillances.

8. Impact of gun trafficking on Nigerian economy

Gun trafficking is the illegal importing and selling of guns from the manufacturer to the seller and sometimes to the final buyer/users. It is a networking of business involving the manufacturer, marketers and users who uses all means to get their money paid and their goods delivered. Like trafficking in persons or smuggling of contraband goods, guns and other weapons are also being trafficked in and across the African continents. However, non-states actors, ethnic militia, politicians are the ones that mostly resort to or get involved in gun trafficking. They use some corrupt public officials or well position uniformed officers and conspired to get those guns cleared or well protected and taken to the desired destinations. In other occasions, they use the porous borders to smuggle or traffic those guns to the place of use/distributions.

The need and uses of guns in Nigeria have lot of effects/impacts on the nation’s socioeconomic activities. In other words, trafficking in guns has made guns available in the nook and cranny of the Nigerian state and is now among other things causing or leading to:

1. Ethno-religious conflict. Availability and easier access to guns through any of the means mentioned above, but particularly through trafficking, has aggravated ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria. Yearly, there are ethno-religious conflicts which claimed lives and properties in several states in Nigeria. Notable ones include Tiv/Fulani, in Benue and Taraba states; Bachama/Fulani in Adamawa state; Christian/Muslims in Plateau and Kaduna states respectively, as confirmed by other scholars [4].

2. Increase in banditry in various sections of Nigerian society. Access to guns through trafficking has increased the rate and levels of banditry in Nigeria, particularly in places or states like Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Kaduna, etc. Hardly will a week passed without major bandits attacks on communities, farms and business premises to carry away goods and other animals to unknown destinations. This made United States of America to warn its citizen against visiting some parts of northern Nigeria [5]. Access to modern guns made many young men and women to join banditry as means for livelihood in those restive regions in northwest and north central Nigeria. For instance, gunmen attacked and kidnapped people in Lafiya demanding #3milion naira as well as some persons in Kuje, in Abuja [6] and [7].

3. Electoral violence. Proliferations of guns and other light weapons have aided political conflicts and violence in Nigeria. Some politicians procure and provide weapons, particularly guns to their thugs who carry same along during campaigns and on election days to attack opponents in spite of the presence of the conventional security operatives [8]. There were cases where political thugs of opposing political parties’ clashes among themselves and huge numbers of causalities were recorded [9]. Nigeria’s politics and electioneering has become so militarized that many innocent citizens are apprehensive of coming out to express their views or cast their vote for candidates of their choice without molestation.

4. Fuelling of Herders’-Farmers’ clashes. The herders, who are mostly from Fulani ethnic group, carry weapons on them in the name of protecting their cattle and family members from attackers in the bush or along the ways. Unfortunately however, annually, particularly during harvests period, from October to February, there are always herders-farmer clashes/conflicts in numerous states in northern Nigeria. The herders come with their herds of cattle, goats and sheep and eat up the farmer’s produce. The farmers will then team up and go out against the invading Fulani-herders. Consequently, armed conflicts using guns and other dangerous weapons ensued, sometimes with huge human and material loses ([4], pp. 270–271).

5. Cultic practices and other social vices in the universities. In Nigeria, there are cases of cultic groups on the university and polytechnic campuses using or having guns. Students who are supposes to be engaging in researches, some of them join cult groups for among other reasons to be protected from other cult groups/gangs’ molestation, to threaten their lecturers, so as to have access to question papers or to pass examinations without much stress, etc. Campus cult groups use guns and other dangerous weapons against themselves, and such armed gangs are also used by politicians to attack their opponents after being paid [10].

6. Facilitates MIC and destroy local industries. The quest for modern and sophisticated weapons in Nigeria has compelled authorities in the country to engage in Military Industrial Complex (MIC) with western countries. Nigeria has for instance expended several dollars on weapons and guns obtained from abroad to fight against terrorists and other criminal elements sabotaging the nation’s economy along the coast and on the land borders. Despite the fact that the Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) were on strike for about eight months and their salaries were not paid, the government took huge amount of money to buy military wares to fight insurgency and terrorism in northeast [11]. For developing nation-states like Nigeria, MIC facilitates underdevelopment and socioeconomic crisis in a number of ways:

   1. It is believed that most of the inter-state and intra-state civil wars and other ethno-religious crisis in developing countries are either instigated or facilitated by the super-powers to sell their weapons. For instance, during the Nigerian civil war 1967 to 1970; Russian weapons were sent to support the Biafrans. In the Libyan uprising, Malian crises and even the insurgent’s upheaval in Nigeria, the rebels use sophisticated weapons made in and imported from Europe. Through such conflicts, state and non-state actors purchase weapons for security purposes at the detriment of the economy and the welfare of the citizens. Nigeria has spent millions of naira to procure arms and other military gadgets to fight terrorism.

   2. Military Industrial Complexes, anchored on manufacturing and selling of arms has established bribery and corruption among the political class in developing countries. The selection of which nation-state, company or industry to buy the weapons from is sometimes determined by vested interest of the persons concerned. In Nigeria for instance, the National Security Adviser (NSA) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) appointed since the year 2002 to oversee the fight against Boko Haram was said to be involved in some corrupt practices. The adviser’s allegations of corrupt practices began to be suspected when in 2014; South Africa seized suitcases packed with millions of dollars of cash in a private jet from Nigeria. The plane with US registration number N808HG at an airport in Johannesburg, claiming it was to be used for purchase of arms. This raised local and international suspicion. After the change of government in 2015, the new administration constituted a panel of inquiry and interim report of the presidential investigation committee on arms procurement under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration indicted the former NSA for misappropriating $2billion. The NSA was standing trial for possession of illegal arms and arms deal misappropriation or corrupt practices [12] and [13]. United States’ Government charged one Ara Dolarian to court for allegedly brokering the sales of arms and ammunitions to Nigerian government without acquiring compulsory U.S Department Commerce and Investment Licenses [14]. These confirmed that there are corrupt practices in the MIC deal, which often end at the detriment of the developing countries like Nigeria.

   3. MIC, which is the vested interest in military wares production and marketing, has brought development for the European states in terms of industrialization and revenue generation; job creation and structural developments. In developing nations like Nigeria however, MIC has created exploitation of the economy, fuelled ethno-religious crisis, insurgency, bribery and corruption and change of government that does not favour their interest. This has perpetuated unequal trade relations and endangered global peace and security.

7. Encourage corruption in the buying and managing the guns. In the process of buying and bringing into the country the obtained military equipment, including arms and ammunitions, some of the staff were caught in bribery and corruption scandal. In Nigeria, in spite the claim of acquiring of new and modern guns, young military officers revolted against their senior officers in Maiduguri. Corrupt practises in the buying and giving out of guns for use in Nigeria is causing tangible setback and fuel intra- or inter military and paramilitary rivalries, with each of the sister agencies claiming superiority than the other. This affects the cohesion and togetherness in the discharge of their duties against enemies of the state.

8. Militarizing of the civil society for self-defense. The availability and easy accessibility to guns have made civil communities like markets, churches, mosques, hospital, or even high-ways in Nigeria to be militarized. That is, one can easily find people carrying guns around, for fear of not being abducted or some gunmen to carry away their belongings. Even in schools, students and some state officials on visit sometimes carry guns. The civil societies are militarized by various groups and communities having guns or carrying guns on broad day light in the name of security or for personal defense.

9. Escalating the culture of violence and counter-violence through revenge. Having access to guns and carrying same almost on daily basis has increased the number and propensity for revenge without impunity. When there is attack on person or community by others with guns, those attacked will hardly report and wait for the state and security operatives to come to their aid, to mediate and punish the offenders. Rather, those injured or attacked first, will immediately take revenge on their attackers. This led to more violent and counter violent attacks in the Nigerian states [15].

10. Creating and instilling fear in the hearts of both the citizens and other nationals. The frequent uses and carrying of weapons by community police or security personnel into and around other human settlements or business premises send fear in the hearts and minds of the people in and around those places. When the military are passing with guns, civilian fear for their security and safety. Other nationals who came to Nigeria also show some kinds of apprehensive outlook towards the Nigerian society, business communities and the state/region in particular, due to frequent seeing of guns with people.

11. Discouraging direct foreign investment. Hearing gun shots, seeing ethno-religious conflicts, activities of armed bandits and kidnappers discourage direct foreign investment in the country. Investors need a peaceful and serene socioeconomic environment with safety for their lives and properties. When there is no security, people generally would hardly or would not even invest and to later loses their income or even their lives. Wrong usage of guns in Nigeria has hindered or is discouraging foreigners to come into Nigeria and invest that will ultimately boost the nation’s economy. Most of the oil companies in Nigeria like Elf, Texaco, Chevron, etc are not producing maximally due to the incessant attacks on their expatriates, staff members and the companies’ pipelines, etc in the restive Niger/Delta region [16]. This is a great challenge to the Nigerian economy in recent times.

12. Encouraging/recruiting youngster to engage in trafficking. Young men and women in Nigeria today hardly engage in agriculture, studies and other vocational training or skill development. Rather, some of them join, support and collaborate with gunmen in the bush to be their ‘informers’, buyers and suppliers of various items like fuel, drinks, food stuff, etc from the town and carry them to the gangs in the jungle (bush/forest) where they are eating, drinking, and having fun with women, (either those women they captured/abducted or those going to meet them in their hide-outs from the town to be paid later). Some young men and women have left school to join gunmen/women, kidnappers, ethnic militia, and armed robbery gangs. Their guns becomes their sources of wealth, power and to meet other life’s’ need. This is dangerous to Nigeria’s economic future, and human capacity development in any trade/department/ministries.

13. Poor revenue for the state. Gun men and women, kidnappers, and bandits’ activities are detrimental to Nigeria’s quest for local and foreign income and exchanges. Traffickers of weapons, guns and other items, proved difficult for Nigeria to apprehend those gangs, hence illegal importation and exportation takes places without the state collecting revenue or taxes from both traffickers and buyers. Unknown gunmen had sometimes attack and chased away military and Para-military officers stationed at some land and water borders due to superior weapons with them. By so doing, tax collection is disrupted and the gunmen take charge of the import and export of goods and services or they form their own check points to collect taxes before allowing any trading or commercial activities from being carried out along the borders.

14. Expenditure on gun and military wares. In order to halt and contend the advances of criminal elements using the guns in the country, Nigerian government/authorities are forced to also acquire more weapons to fulfil one of the objectives of the states, to defend its territory and citizens’ lives and properties. To resist and overcome the excesses of gunmen and other undesirable elements, the state therefore expend more to acquires modern and sophisticated weapons for the military and other Para-military organizations to be combatant ready. It is argued that in Nigeria, security issues and military needs gulp the nation’s finances. For instance, in the 2012 budget, security was allocated the sum of N921.91 billion at the expense of other vital sectors like health, education, agriculture, etc [17]. It is also noted that the Ministry of Defence expended 396.5b (US $2.56bn) in 2012 [18]. In the 2014 budget presented to the National Assembly on 1^9th December, 2013, security still retained top most, with the allocation of the sum of one trillion Naira [19]. As if the afore-mentioned were child’s play, there is also an elaborate budgetary allocation under Muhammadu Buhari thus: In 2016, security got #1.04 trillion. In 2017, #1.053 trillion was appropriated for defence. In 2018, #1.05 trillion. Still in that same year, $1 billion from the excess crude oil account, where $496 million was used to buy/order for the 12 Tucano fighter jets. In 2019, #1.76 trillion, ministry of interior got #617.9; defence was #589.9 million; police was #366 and office of the National Security Adviser, got #120 billion. In 2020, security got #1.78 trillion. In 2021, it was initially #1.97; but there were order for the implementation of police Trust Fund which got #11 billion in March and another #74 billion in June 2021 [11]. In the 2021 supplementary budget, a total of #802 billion was allocated to security agencies to shore up their revenue. In 2022, #2.41 trillion was on security and defence; that is, 15% of the budget. In 2023 budget, #2.98 trillion goes to defence sector [20]. These implied that providing security is actually capital intensive for developing economy like Nigeria. The fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP, bandits, gunmen and other ethnic militia constitutes an additional burden on the budgets of the states concerned [21]. Insecurity can be said to compel the respective public authorities to respond by raising budget deficit or by raising taxes which both have negative effects on economic growth of Nigeria.

15. Increase in terrorists and kidnapping activities. Having access to guns has fuelled terrorism in Nigeria. Boko Haram and Islamic States in West African Provinces (ISWAP) have made Nigeria to be recognized as a country where terrorism thrives. Since 2009 to 2023, there are always news of either Boko Haram or ISWAP’s attacks on civilians, military officials and even on other nationalities by these groups carrying heavy guns and other dangerous weapons in northeast Nigeria. In the northwest and north-central Nigeria, there are visible cases of kidnappers and bandits’ ransacking villages, taking people away and asking for ransom, etc. Bandits and kidnappers are heavily armed gunmen hiding in the villages and targeting their victims both at home, markets, farms or on the high-ways. Terrorism and other criminal activities thrive due to uncontrolled flow of arms and ammunition into Nigeria [22].

16. Increase in cattle rustling. Having access to guns by criminal elements has increased the rate of cattle and other animal rustling in Nigeria. Many cattle owners, cattle breeders, herders and even cattle marketers have had their cattle rustled by unknown gunmen in various rural communities, micro-states and even at transnational levels [4]. Such unfortunate and barbaric behaviours by or from unknown gunmen, ethnic militia, armed bandits, domestic or transnational terrorists operating in states like Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Katisna, Kaduna, Adamawa, Borno, Niger, among others and sometimes while the cattle were on transit to western and eastern parts of Nigeria, have made many people hitherto rich in cattle and wealthy economically to become highly indebted, some became poor, others structurally unemployed, some are nursing injuries they suffered from their attackers, while others were killed. These generally caused psychological trauma, high blood pressures, phobia and other anxieties, especially for the cattle owners/marketers who are predominantly in or from northern part of Nigeria.

17. Heighten tension in eastern Nigeria. Access to guns through the Gulf of Guinea and other means have boosted the morale of the ethnic militia seeking for independence and creating unpleasant scenarios against the people in several eastern states in Nigeria. The activities of pro-Biafrasecessionist groups like, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MOSOB) and others like Niger-Delta Avengers, etc, are tough on the people, foreigners, oil pipeline, and other government economic interests in eastern Nigeria. These groups have and use sophisticated guns and other dangerous weapons which the nation’s security operatives are apprehensive of them [23]. The activities of the afore-mentioned groups terrorize the people and economic activities in the region entirely, creating unnecessary tension for and in the country at large in terms of oil drilling, exploration, transporting and marketing.

18. Closure of other institutions. Activities of gunmen in Nigeria have led to closure of vital institutions like schools in most communities in northeast, north-central and northwest regions of Nigeria. It is a known fact that gunmen believed to be Boko Haram/ISWAP members have attacked and abducted school girls in Bonoand Yobe states. Also, another sets of gunmen/bandits attacked and abducted students in Katsina, Kaduna, Niger states etc, all in northern Nigeria. Such activities of gunmen have affected the educational institutions negatively and forced the closure of same in various states in Nigeria [24].

19. Displacement of citizens. Activities of gunmen, bandits and other criminal elements carrying guns have caused displacement of people from their habitat. Some Nigerians have become internally displaced persons (IDPs). Some have become international refugees in countries like Chad, Niger and Cameroon Republics, because armed gangs are terrorising and ravaging their communities. Apart from the insecurity this constitutes, it also caused structural unemployment by preventing farmers, agriculturalists and other micro-business men and women from settling in their ancestral places to do meaningful businesses in places like Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno, Adamawa, states, among others. In most of the mentioned states, many Nigerians, especially in the rural areas have become beggars and dependents instead of workers and supporters of the Nigerian economy. With more people to feed and less places for productive agriculture, authorities must expend more on food and other basic needs of its citizens.

20. Loses of lives. Above all, gunmen have caused many people to lose their lives in Nigeria. Hardly a day passes without reports that ‘gunmen’ or ‘unknown gunmen’ have attacked certain communities, places of worships, markets, etc and recorded causalities. ‘Cross-fire’ gun shots and stray bullet sometimes when the gunmen are exchanging fire with security operatives also hit and killed innocent people or passer-by person(s). Nigeria is losing both married and singles, workers, students, unemployed, farmers, businessmen/women, security personnel due to gunmen, kidnappers, terrorists, armed political thugs’ activities in the nation. Such unfortunate and preventable scenarios are detrimental to the local and international economy, which cannot be recovered or compensated in monetary terms.

9. Implications ofgun trafficking on the Nigerian state and economy

The implications of the above on the nation’s economy include but not limited to:

1. Firstly, many villages are today empty and those who stay or remain there must be ready to be paying taxes to the gunmen.

2. Secondly, farming activities are now less or non-existent in most villages under the gunmen. This is because, farmers cannot go some kilometre into the bush to plough their farms and cultivate their crops because the gunmen in the bush will abduct or kidnap them, until they pay ransom money or the levy/tax placed on them by the gunmen/armed gang.

3. Thirdly, Women, especially young ladies are rapped, some are married by force to and by the gunmen.

4. Fourthly, many young men have left some villages/rural communities so that the gunmen will not abduct them by force or use them as their errand boys. Therefore, some villages in the remotes areas are left with only the elderly/aged people who either have no place to go or who felt, ‘they better stay and die in their ancestral home’.

5. Fifthly, the above scenario affected the quantity and quality of agriculture in and from our rural communities, because the able young men and women have deserted agriculture. This means, there is going to be food insecurity in most parts of Nigeria, malnutrition and other diseases, and the cost of food items will sky-rocket in most of the affected communities.

6. Sixthly, the people being displaced from their ancestral home by gunmen will also try to get guns to mobilize themselves and engage in war with their perceived enemies or they will join those armed groups for them to stay in their habitat.

7. Seventhly, Nigeria is losing upcoming generations/professionals that are being kidnapped or killed by gunmen and other undesirable criminal elements.

8. Eighthly, Education and other institutions will remain closed or without people patronizing them in greater numbers. This will sooner or later affect manpower development and other aspects of the larger economy.

9. Ninthly, each person, communities and ethnic nationalities would or must thrive to get guns for their personal, community and business protections since their lives and livelihood is at stake. Consequently, the desire for more guns in various sections of the country will increase; and that will be a boost to the traffickers.

10. Tenthly, Nigeria will have to expend more on guns and ammunitions to be able to quell both the domestic and transnational gun users wreaking havoc on it citizens, on other nationalities and particularly on the nation’s economy at the detriment of other equally important sectors/aspects of the economy.

11. Eleventh, Nigeria’s firearms control Act No.32 of 1959 CAP F.28, law of the federation of Nigeria, (2004) is under serious threat as it is rendered ineffective becauselarge numbers of firearms/guns are in the hands of unregistered or unlicensed people holding and owning guns, as well as numerous others making/repairing gunsin the country [25].

10. Concluding remarks

From the above discourse, it is glaring that trafficking in guns/firearms and other weapons into Nigeria and the use of same by untrained and unlawful people have devastating effects on socioeconomic activities in Nigeria. Banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, ethno-religious conflicts, displacement of people from their farm lands and other business premises are rampant due to the misuse and mishandling of guns by those who are not supposed to be in possession of it. In Nigeria, civilians including rebel groups and militias hold more than 40 million small arms and light weapons, while government related entities hold not fewer than 11 million [26]. Such amount of firearms/guns in the hands of unregistered/unrecognized actors would definitely cause monumental insecurity in all ramifications and serves as a threat to Nigeria’s national security [27]. Nigeria though a giant in Africa, with numerous natural endowments and huge population, is now finding it difficult to produce cash and food crops for local consumption and export due to insecurity attributed to the activities of gunmen (including herdsmen, ethnic militias, bandits, and terrorists at all levels). Rather, Nigeria engages in importing of not only food items to feed its populations, but also fuel and other items which can be produced within the country. Instead of the state to attract direct foreign investments into agriculture and other non-oil sectors of the economy, Nigeria is one of the most indebted nations on African continent with lot of socioeconomic and political anxiety. For instance, Nigeria’s public debt rose to #44.06 trillion in third quarter of 2022 [28]. The exploration and marketing of crude oil in the Niger/Delta regions is also negatively affected. Nigerian citizens are now battered and molested either by kidnappers, terrorists, unknown gunmen, ethnic militia, etc to the detriment of socioeconomic growth and development. The aforementioned economic misfortunes, psychological trauma and socioeconomic backwardness can be said to be orchestrated and sustained by insecurities consequent upon large number of guns trafficked in, and they are unfortunately in the hands of private or non-state actors. To say the least, the nation, its citizen and socioeconomic activities are today insecure and uncertain due to proliferations of arms and ammunitions trafficked into the country.

11. Recommendations

As a way forward, the under-listed recommendations are imperatives:

1. Authorities in Nigeria must arise to establish it hegemony and enforce the ban on illegal possession of guns by any unauthorized persons or groups of persons. She must effectively man all its entry and exit routes in and from the country by fighting and terminating corruption in the rank and file of all security operatives.

2. There should be tougher punitive measures against unlawful or unauthorized persons making, owing/holding guns, traffickers and marketers of same within and around the country.

3. Government should use ‘carrot and stick approach’ to collect all illegal guns in peoples’ hands. Those who bring back their guns should be given some incentives and those who refused after a year of persuasion, stick approach be applied.

4. The state should ensure proper security of the lives and properties of it citizens and that of their welfare.

5. Farmers-Herders should be well educated to respect each other and live in peace among themselves for the benefits of all.

6. Nigeria’s security personnel should be well trained to respect citizens’ rights, be professional in the discharge of their duties, respect rule of law and be well equipped to track and crackdown on gun traffickers under whatever guises.

7. Nigerian government should attract investors into the various sectors of the economy by making some concessions for industries and companies to come and establish their plants/factories in the country. This will create employment opportunities, increase sources of foreign exchange, among other benefits.

8. Lastly, Nigeria should collaborate with its neighbours to ensure the security of their common boundaries and keep maximum vigilance on activities along and across their common boundaries, as well as to re-examine/contextualize the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol of free movement.