EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE AMNESTY PROGRAMME ON ARMS CONTROL IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper assessed the effects of amnesty programme on arms control in Katsina state located in Nigeria‟s North-West region from the perspective of Human Security Theory (HST). The study relied on data generated from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were from fifteen (15) key informants purposively selected from critical stakeholders including representatives of the Katsina state Government, former members of armed bandit groups, the Nigeria Army (NA), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Security (DSS), vigilantes, traditional rulers, security experts/academics, and religious leaders within the study area. Secondary data were sourced from books, journals, newspapers, and relevant online materials among others. Data generated from primary sources were analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings from the study revealed that the amnesty programme facilitated the recovery of significant numbers of arms and ammunition including AK-47 assault rifles, thereby contributing to a reduction in proliferation of illegal arms in the state. Based on these findings, the study recommended among others measures that Katsina state government should collaborate with the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure the deployment of more adequately armed security personnel to flashpoints of criminal activities the state. This would further reduce the number of illegal arms in the possession of unauthorized individuals and groups.