iajlIAJLIAJL2709-9490https://doi.org/10.47310/iajl.2020.v01i01.003The Role of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Exacerbating Armed Groups Conflicts in Borno and Yobe States of Northeastern NigeriaBabayoSuleIbrahimKawuleyMikailSmall Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) are firearms, mini bombs, propelled grenades and rifles used for attacks and defense in an armed conflict. SALW are related to international security issues, border management, terrorism, crimes, issues associated with public health, socioeconomic development, deradicalisation and post-conflict reconstruction. A larger percentage of SALW are not government controlled. Borno State with a capital in Maiduguri was created in in 1976 after the split of the North-Eastern States. It is the homeland of the Kanuri people in Nigeria. The State has many ethnic groups but the major ones are Shuwa Arabs, Bura, Marghi, Gwoza and Chibok. The research is a detail anatomy of the role of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in escalating and spreading armed conflicts in Borno and Yobe States of Northeastern Nigeria from the perspective of both the use of primary and secondary sources.