The NIger Delta Situation

Small arms, armed violence, and insecurity in Nigeria: the Niger Delta in perspective

Authors: Hazen,J.M.; Horner,J.
Produced by: Small Arms Survey (2007)

This study aims to raise awareness of a number of issues relating to insecurity, armed violence, and the proliferation of illicit small arms in Nigeria since the return to democracy in 1999. It particularly focuses on the mounting challenges that now face the Nigerian government.

The paper finds that elections in Nigeria are perceived as zero-sum contests leading to the increasingly militarised nature of politics, the use of violence as an electoral tool, and the ingraining of a culture of violence in society. Numerous armed groups operate in the country, however today’s armed groups are better armed, trained, and sophisticated in their actions compared to those of the past. They have taken advantage of the opportunities presented by being hired hands, and have developed their own bases of economic support, thereby freeing themselves from political patrons. This has led some groups to try and influence the political process themselves.

While Nigeria supports international instruments to limit illicit proliferation and has put in place national laws to restrict the ownership and use of illicit arms, these laws are poorly enforced. The government’s response to armed violence has been a mixed strategy of carrot and stick. However, the only solution to the rising armed violence in the Niger Delta is a political one.

The authors conclude by highlighting some of the challenges facing President Yar’Adua in office. These include:

• less than two months after his inauguration, Nigerians were already showing frustration at the new president’s slow pace, which many say is further hindering government action
  
• Nigeria remains divided along numerous lines: ethnicity, religion, settler/indigene status, and political affiliation - the national elections held in 2007 did little to resolve these tensions
• the prospects for civil war appear slim, but the likelihood for the continuation of the use of armed violence remains high
  
• lack of development in the country coupled with few signs of economic improvement contribute to rising discontent - the government has benefited from high oil prices but these haven’t been widely dispersed, and this remains a rallying call for the armed groups in the Niger Delta
• a key element of addressing insecurity and armed violence is comprehensive security sector reform - the government has yet to engage in this type of reform, and will need to bring on board key leaders in the military and police so as to implement any strategic reform programme.
  

Available online at: http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=37317&em=260608⊂=conf