Public Perception of Small Arms Epidemic and Conflicts in Oke-Ogun Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the relationship between small arms epidemic and conflicts in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to determine the effect of small arms epidemic (such as AK-47, double barrel, G-3, AKM, Mag-4, SMG, AR70, dynamite, explosives, revolver pistols, automatic pistols, machete, sword, double barrel guns, bow and arrow, grenades) on ethno-communal, political and intra-communal conflicts. The study adopted survey research design. Stratified and purposive sampling technique was adopted in selecting one thousand, one hundred and fifty two (1152) respondents from the three local government areas in the study area. A self-report questionnaire developed by researcher was used as instrument for data collection. The reliability estimate of the instrument was established through the Cronbach method. The obtained data were statistically analysed using Linear regression. Each hypothesis was tested at 0.05 per cent level of significance. The result obtained from the analysis of data indicates that, there is a significant relationship between proliferation of small arms (such as AK-47, double barrel, G-3,AKM) and ethno-communal conflict, proliferation of small arms (such as Mag-4, SMG, AR70, dynamite, explosives) significantly relates to religious conflict, there is a significant relationship between proliferation of small arms (revolver pistols, automatic pistols, AK-47, Mag-4, G-3) and political conflict, and the proliferation of small arms (machete, sword, double barrel, bow and arrow, grenades) significantly correlate to intra-communal conflict. The study concluded on the note that there is a significant relationship between proliferation of small arms and conflicts in Oke-Ogun Area of Oyo state, Nigeria. It was recommended among others that government should actively erect border barriers to stem the flow of small arms into the country. Also, government and other stakeholders in conflict management should adopt preventive approach in handling conflict in the country.