Abstract
Much like in many climes, illicit small arms and light weapons proliferation is considered one of the significant contributors to security challenges in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study examines the recurring incidence of insecurity and its devastation on sustainable peace and economic development in Cross River State. The communal land crisis, sea piracy, oil bunkering, unemployment, porous borders, corruption, cultism, illegal arms dealers, drug trafficking, and militancy are the significant causes of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Cross River State. The paper utilized a mixed method of data collection. Data for analytical purposes are extracted through interviews and direct observations for the primary method, and documentary instruments such as journal articles, textbooks, internet materials, and security bulletins are used for data generation, and inductive analytical techniques for data analysis are obtained for the secondary method. The study recommends that government strengthen the institutions that fight against corruption and entrenchment of social justice; there is a need for the state to create a healthy economic environment with relevant social, economic, and physical infrastructure for businesses and industrial growth that will provide valuable jobs and quality education to her citizen, community policing need to encourage in most of the crime-prone areas, and there is also need for government to strengthen the formal security formations with modern equipment and retraining its staff to meet up the present security challenges. Lastly, the government needs to enact policies to integrate, reconstruct, and rehabilitate the conflict-prone communities with markets, schools, improved medical centers, etc. Doing these will make them surrender their arms and embrace sustainable peace and economic development in Cross River State, Nigeria.