Muhammad Umar Nuraddeen

The illegal proliferation of small arms constitutes a major source of destruction to lives and properties and exacerbates ethnic and religious tensions leading to full-fledge conflicts. However, by employing failed state theory as theoretical framework,a failed state is one that has shattered social and political structures. It is characterized by social, political and economic failure. It is the collapse of state institutions, especially the police and judiciary with resulting paralysis of governance, a breakdown of law and order, and general banditry and chaos. Common characteristics of a failing state is when a central government is so weak or ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its territory, non-provision of public utilities or services, widespread corruption and criminality; refugees and involuntary movement of populations, and sharp economic decline. Using the above theory, the research found that, many factors are responsible for the illegal proliferation of SALW in Nigeria, but the prominent include porosity of Nigerian borders,arms traffickers exploit this situation to smuggle SALW into the country. wide spread insecurity in the country which Nigerians and cooperate organizations have lost confidence in the state and its security agencies to guarantee security hence, individuals, groups and cooperate bodies have to provide security for themselves through various means. These private securities and vigilantes are armed sometimes with illegal weapons. Arming of private security is part of the motivational force for the proliferation of small arms in Nigeria.However, corruptioncreates breeding grounds for the proliferation of small arms and light weapons among the civilian population. Finally, under-equipment of the national security agencies.Criminals and dissidents are often better equipped than the security agencies thereby making the security agencies incapable of repelling their attacks and unable to defend the public from criminals.