The Proliferation of Small Arms, Armed Groups and Violent Conflicts in the Niger Delta Region of NigeriaByPatrick B. NaagbantonCoordinator,Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development(CEHRD)Ogale-Nchia, Eleme Rivers State, Nigeria.Email; patricknaagbantonyahoo.canigerdeltaprojectyahoo.comWebsite; www.cehrd.orgABSTRACTSmall Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and groups misusing them, are dangerously out of control in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Incidentally, the Niger Delta is the hub of oil and gas production in the country. Crude oil from the belt accounts for over 90% of revenue accruable to the government. In spite of the oil wealth, the Niger Delta region like other parts of Nigeria is riddled with abject poverty, high unemployment rate, social deprivation and injustice, pollution and under-development. Synergy between the aforesaid has creates a breeding ground for non-state armed groups, organized crime and illicit arms trafficking and proliferation in the zone.This paper examines the origin and manifestation of the armed groups from the late 80s to date. It will take a cursory look at small arms production, sources of funds for illegal arms acquisition, and consolidation of the groups. The paper critically x-rays why the situation seems hopeless and pessimistic. The various strategies and policies the rulers of the Nigerian state had employed, to curb the scourge of arms emergency and why they failed woefully.This paper also makes some concrete recommendations on how to tackle the menace of small arms, and armed groups multiplicity in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria internationally and locally.IntroductionThe Niger Delta is one of the world rsichest areas in terms of natural resources. Apart from its substantial oil and gas deposits, there are extensive rainforests, abundant wildlife and fertile agricultural land where rice, sugarcane, plantain, beans, palm oil, yams, cassava and timber are cultivated. The delta is also famous for having the largest expanse of mangrove in Africa, and rich fish resources. It has more fresh water fish species than 1 other coastal systems in West Africa .Each of Nigeria 37s0 identifiable ethnic groups 1) Niger Delta Wetlands Centre (NDWC) , “ Niger Delta Bio-diversity ” Port Harcourt, 1995, quoted in Ike Okonta and Oronto Douglas, where Vultures Feast , San Francisco; Sierra club Books, 2001. Otite, O. “ Ethnic Pluralism and Ethnicity in Nigeria ”Ib.adan, Shaneson Limited 1990. cited in Nicholas Florquin and Eric G. Berman “Armed and Aimless; Armed Groups, Guns, and Human Security in The ECOWAS Region ”, Small Arms Survey, Geneva, Switzerland, 2005. perceives itself to be linguistically, culturally, and historically distinct, although four tribestheHausa and Fulani in the north, the Yoruba in the south vest, and the Igbo in the south-east constitute a larger share of the population. Tensions among these four are well documented, as are hostilities among other lesser-known groups who have grievances against both the major ethnic groups, the Nigerian state (which they perceive as insensitive to their interest), and one anotherSee Florquin and Eric G. Berman, “Armed and Aimless ”. Oil, or more specifically, the proceeds from the sale of oil, has long been a source of contention in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Beside the major ethnic groups above, in the southernmost section of Nigeria lies the Niger Delta, and like the larger country with its heterogeneous ethnic cluster, the Niger Delta region has diverse ethnic accumulation. The groups that inhabit the area are the Ijaw, Ogoni, Ogba, Ikwerre, Itsekiri, Urohobo, Ibibio, Efik, Ndokwa, etc. But the Ijaw is the largest group in the Niger Delta belt.The Anglo-Royal Dutch Shell first discovered high-quality oil in Nigeria in 1956 at Oloibiri, Bayelsa state. Additional discoveries quickly followed across the region. The promise of lucrative exports raised hopes that this newly found source of wealth would lead to improvements in the living and economic conditions of the region and the country. Such hopes did not turn into realities Olojede, Dele. 2004.“ Oil rich Nigerian Delta demanding self -determination” The News Day (New York) 30October cited in Jennifer M. Hazen and Jonas Horner. 2007.Arms, Armed violence and insecurity in Nigeria; The Niger Delta in perspective A”n , occasional paper of the Small Arms Survey, Geneva, Switzerland. Instead, the population remains impoverished, despite large revenues accrued from oil, and the environment has been severely damaged by the reckless practice of the oil companies. Discontent over limited economic opportunities and poor environmental practices which has led to organized but non-violent protest against poor practices Hazen and Horner, Small Arms, Armed violence and insecurity in Nigeria; The Niger Delta perspective.Resistance Movement have existed in the