Porous borders and illicit arms deal: Implication for Nigeria national security

Abstract

 The intricate relationship between porous borders and illicit arms deals could be seen in the exacerbation of existing security threats: kidnapping, banditry, insurgency, armed conflict, and violent crimes, and this extensively queries the national security of Nigeria. Against this backdrop, this study employed structural functionalism theory to interrogate Nigeria's national security implications through porous borders and illicit arms deals. This study engaged qualitative research design with reliance on existing literature, government reports, and relevant case studies. Findings that emanate from the study submitted that porous borders, apart from economic threats of counterfeit products, hinder development and loss of government revenues, aggravate the smuggling of illicit goods of drugs and weapons, and this contraband fuels organised crime, which undermines state authority. Results from the study also opine that implications of illicit arms deals encompass not only the direct impact on armed violence and conflict but also broader socioeconomic consequences, such as undermined governance and compromised human security. This study recommends that States should invest in policies to enhance border security by investing in modern border infrastructure of surveillance systems and detection equipment and fostering border community engagement. The study also recommends strengthening institutional capacities for arms tracing and tracking. Finally, the study recommends fostering regional and international cooperation to combat illicit arms cartels effectively via information-sharing platforms and joint border patrols.