One major reason why civil protests are religiously guided for them not to go out of hand is that they can trigger off other evil consequences or sometimes lead to civil uprising. One of the consequences the country would have to address in few months ahead is the mopping up of the arms that have gone into wrong hands.

There are reported incidents of dispossession of fireams from security personnel. The implication is that firearms are now circulating in wrong hands.

It will be recalled that as early as 2002/2003, there has been huge outcry against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria, even by international bodies. This was largely blamed on selfish bids of our politicians to win the 2003 elections at all cost, thereby arming political thugs.

One of the international concerns raised decried the situation thus: “The proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria in the West African sub-region exerts negative impact on socio-political and economic development. ... Despite the existence of this NATCOM, small arms and light weapons are freely circulating in the country.”

“We witnessed the consequences of the arms build-up within that era as some parts of the country were engulfed by kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

There are early warnings now and governments across the country should start now to design appropriate responses to curtail the future ugly consequences.

•Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu, a public policy analyst, writes from Aba, viakeshiafrica@gmail.com