Luka, Ruth CalebAliegba, Eugene T.Ohiani, Bello2023-12-142023-12-142019-04-04Luka, R.C. et. al. (2019). CHALLENGES TO CURBING ARMS PROLIFERATION IN NIGERIA.https://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/6827The study focuses on the challenges of curbing small arms and light weapons proliferation in West Africa. The proliferation of small arms and light weapons is an evolving trend and a universal evil; posing challenges to human development and security. This is as a result of the fact that contemporary world is faced with various degrees of crisis which involves the use of arms of different sophistications, many of which are possessed illegally despite laws prohibiting illegal arms trade. Small arms and light weapons exacerbates conflicts, which leads to the use of arms in conflicts situations. Incidences like gang shooting, kidnapping, terrorism, armed robbery, and communal conflicts are essentially promoted and sustained by arms at the disposal of illegal users. Many others are victims ofl egitimate arms abuse by some ruthless law enforcement agents. The study found out that efforts put in place by West African states in particular Nigeria to curb arms proliferation has not achieved much because of so many challenges such as poverty, porous borders, local manufacturers, incessant crisis and soon. Nigeria has not achieved much in tackling domestic issues leading to arms proliferation such as poverty, unemployment, insecurity, conflict amongst others. The data obtained for this study was generated from the secondary source and documentary method applied in data analysis. It adopted "Attribution Theory" as a theoretical underpinning, to show how domestic issues are attributed to arms proliferation. To this end, the study recommends that the government should place emphasis on finding solutions to reasons for the demand of arms in the country by providing jobs and employments in other to reduce the high rate of crime and to discourage local manufacturers, who go into the venture for economic purposes. In conclusion there should be community focused mopping ofi llegal arms in circulation, closure of arms black market to destroy the network, clampdown on syndicates and dealers on illegal arms and promulgation ofdeterrent laws with severe penalty to discourage trading on illegal arms.enGlobal Trends, proliferation, small arms, light weapons, challenges, security.Article