Expanding urbanisation enabling deadly mix of rampant arms trafficking, violent crime in West Africa

Growing populations, established criminal networks and thriving gangs make these cities the perfect market for smugglers.

Firearm importers and traffickers use different smuggling strategies and concealment methods in Lagos. They falsify import papers and merchandise declarations to bring firearms through the city’s seaports. In one case, 1,100 rifles seized at Tin Can Island Port were concealed in a 20-foot container, which the importer hadAccording to the ISS study, poor urban planning and maintenance enable arms trafficking.

Easy access to small arms and light weapons in Bamako and Lagos prolong existing conflicts, such as terrorism in Bamako and ethnic violence in Lagos. It threatens the stability of polarised communities, putting civilians at risk of death or injury. According to Acled, attacks since 2011 were perpetrated by unknown criminals , the National Union of Road Transport Workers , cultists , and communal militias . Acled reported that 241 people died in targeted attacks by various armed groups in Lagos since 2012.

Source: News Formal (newsformal.com)

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