International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume III, Issue II, February 2019|ISSN 2454-6186 A Survey of the Proleferation of Small Arms and Cattle Rusttling in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State and Its Implication to National Security Suleiman Amali¹, Ilim Moses Msughter², Lawal, O. YA³ 1,2Department of Sociology Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Nigeria 3Registry Department Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Nigeria Abstract: - This study investigates the security implication of contributed to the alarming level of armed crime, and cattle rustling in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna militancy (Ngboawaji 2011).This poses serious security state. The major objective of the study was thus to assess the challenges both internationally and locally.Yakubu, (2005) connection between proliferation of small arms and cattle also avers that small arms and light weapons are often used to rustling and then examine the security implication on the society. forcibly displace civilians, impede humanitarian assistance To achieve this grand objective, specific objectives were outlined as thus: to highlights the factors that influence the proliferation and retard socio-economic development. of small arms and light weapons in Birnin Gwari local Cattle rustling is one of such vices that have taken advantage government, highlight the factors that facilitates and sustain of small arm and light weapons that are in circulation. In catte rustling in Birnin Gwari local government area. The study simple terms, cattle rustling refer to stealing of grazing cattle. was also interested in enumerating the obstacle that affects eradication of the phenomenon and to suggest what can be done Traditionally, cattle rustling are driven by the criminal intent to eradicate the phenomenon in the society. The study utilised to expropriate cow for meat or sale. In recent time however, both the primary and secondary data for its analyses. A multi the nature and extent of the activities of cattle rustlers in stage sampling techniques was used to collect data from the North-Western Nigeria has however gone beyond mere cattle respondents. The total number of respondents that participated theft for the aforementioned purposes. Communities in states in the study was 375. The study also used the in-depth Interview like Zamfara, Kaduna Katsina, and Kebbiamong others have method to interview police officers who were considered as key experience the phenomenon of cattle rustling with its informants for the study. The data obtained from the attendant effects. According to David (2016) the rustlers respondents were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. The don‟t only steal, they barricade roads; they rape and study found out that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons is very high in Birnin Gwari local government area. The constantly harass defenceless farmers and women in the major factor identified as facilitating the proliferation of small affected communities. Cattle rustling have thus attracted a lot arms in Birnin Gwari was political thuggery, and thick of concern internationally and locally as their activities vegetation of the Birnin Gwari communities was discovered to threatened national security and development. provide hide out for armed bandit hence facilitating the phenomenon of cattle rustling. It is therefore the Birnin Gwari is one of the worst hit communities in recommendation of this study that political offices in Nigeria be North Western Nigeria. The local government serve as a made less attractive to discourage the use of thugs for election. border community; as it connects Zamfara, Katsina and Niger Also s stiffer penalties and effective enforcement of laws should state. According to Yakubu (2005), the Emir of Birnin Gwari be embarked on. The study also suggests that the borders need could not hide his emotions when he revealed to the Governor to be closely monitored for what goes in and pout of the state and when he was carrying out an impact assessments tour of the country. Finally the study suggests that employment local government that “more than 60% of the local opportunities be created to engage the youths who are the major government have been taken over by rustlers”. In 2011, they perpetrators armed conflict and violence. attack two commercial banks in Birnin Gwari town and ran away with millions of naira. In the same year, they attacked I. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY another district; Salauwa, burnt more than 40 houses, kill four he illegal possession and circulation of small arms and people and render more than 100 people homeless (Alkali T light weapons is known to fuel insurgency, piracy, 2015). kidnapping, communal conflict as well as exacerbate political In a recent report in Ayodeji (2016), it was revealed that ethno-religious tension hence posing threats to socio- operationsharanDaji (which was primarily set up to fish out economic development and security challenge. The the rustlers from their hiding place in the forest) recovered uncontrollable use of small arms and light weapons has over 665 cows, and 141 sheeps (Ewes and Rams), from cattle www.rsisinternational.org Page 372 International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume III, Issue II, February 2019|ISSN 2454-6186 rustlers in Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna state. According to instance wrote extensively on the effects of proliferation of Alemika (2014), the rustlers are very successful in their the small arms and light weapons on the society especially in operation not just because of their level of organisation, but the hands of non-state actors. Odekunle (2013) also dwelt because they easily have access to small arms and weapons comprehensively on how actors used the electoral system to which are in circulation. A lot have been written on put arms in the hands of thugs, while Yecho (2006) identified proliferation of small arms and light weapons. See Ebo, the socio-economic effects of small arms and light weapons in (2003), Odekunle (2013), Bah (2004), Adetiba (2012)Onuoha Nigeria but establish little or no connection with the (2011), Aver et al (2015), Nte (2011), Wokocha (2012), phenomenon of cattle rustling.This has made an empirical Yecho (2006), Alubo (2006). This study will therefore try to study into socio-economic and security implication of the fill the gap in literature on this subject; by conducting an phenomenon of cattle rustling influence by the availability of empirical study to establish a connection between small arms and light weapons imperative. proliferation of small arms and cattle rustling and hence assess Research Questions other factors that facilitates cattle rustling, identify obstacles that pose a challenge to eradication of cattle rustling in The general research question is: what is the connection Nigeria, and also assess the impact of cattle rustling on between proliferation of small arms and cattle rustling and security of lives and properties of people in Birnin Gwari how does this impact negatively on the security of Nigerians? local government area and on national security at large. The specific includes: Statement of the Problem 1. What are the factors influencing the circulation of small arms in Birnin Gwari LG? The spread of small arms and light weapons have stimulated 2. What other factors facilitates and sustains the and encourage a lot of phenomenon that have impacted phenomenon of cattle rustling? negatively on the socio-economic and security of people. The 3. What are the obstacles towards eradication of the use of these weapons is known to have fuel and sustained the phenomenon of cattle rustling in North Western phenomenon of cattle rustling which often created economic Nigeria? and security problems in affected areas and environs. Farmers 4. What are the security implications of cattle rustling and inhabitants of Birnin Gwari (Kaduna state), Danmusa and in Birnin Gwari local Government area? Safana (Katsina state) find I difficult to live a normal life 5. What are the measures that will be adopted to curb because of the phenomenon of cattle rustling prevalent in the circulation of small arms and light weapons in these areas. In some cases, armed men will take over the North Western Nigeria? whole community displacing people hence humanitarian 6. What can be done to effectively eradicate the crises. In some cases, access to schools, health facilities and phenomenon of cattle rustling in North Western markets are blocked; thousands are displaced and made Nigeria? refugees in their own land. Objectives of the Study Similarly, between 2010 and 2014 the number of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Nigeria was 3.3 million The general objective of the study is to examine the making Nigeria the highest „producer of refugees in Africa connection between proliferation of small arms and light and the third in the world after Syria and Colombia weapons with cattle rustling in Birnin Gwari local government respectively (Voice of America 19TH May, 2014). Resources area of Kaduna state and assess the security implication to and energy are channelled towards rehabilitating displayed Nigeria as a country. The specific questions are as follows: persons and towards rebuilding destroyed structures at the 1 To identify the factors influencing the proliferation expense of other projects. of small arms in Birnin Gwari LG There exists a corpus of literature on the factors 2 To highlight other factors that facilitates and sustains influencing, sources and effects of the proliferation of the the phenomenon of cattle rustling. small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and other parts of the 3 Identify obstacle towards eradication of the world with its unique position regarding its set back on phenomenon of cattle rustling in North Western societal development. Moreover, the dominant literature on Nigeria the sources and effects of the proliferation of small arms vis a 4 To highlight the security implication of cattle rustling vis criminal activities are not only theoretical but made very in Birnin Gwari local Government area.