Ungoverned spaces and the political economy of small arms proliferation in Northern Nigeria

This paper examines the intricate relationship between ungoverned spaces and the political economy of small arms proliferation in Northern Nigeria. Drawing on qualitative analysis of secondary sources, the study argues that ungoverned spaces, understood as territories marked by limited state presence and competing structures of authority, operate as critical enablers of armed violence by furnishing sanctuary for trafficking networks, operational bases for insurgents and bandits, and arenas in