A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF URBANIZATION ON CRIME CONTROL (A CASE STUDY OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA)
ABSTRACT
The study concentrates on the high crime rate and urbanization in the cities and villages of Akwa Ibom State. The study was compelled by the frequent reporting of the increase in crime rates in main commercial and administrative towns in the state on radio, television, and in newspapers, as well as by individual and public opinions. In an effort to comprehend the causes and consequences of urbanization and criminality, six objectives, six research questions, and three hypotheses were formulated. A total of 91 respondents were purposively selected to cover state security officers, chairmen of Local Government Areas, councillors from various wards, paramount rulers, clergymen, youth leaders, and police officers from the rank of superintendent and above in order to achieve these objectives. It was posited that these categories of individuals possess the necessary knowledge to respond to inquiries regarding urban-related crimes through the use of well-crafted, structured queries. The results indicated that the urban centres of Akwa Ibom State experienced an increase in crime due to a variety of factors, including poverty, lost family values, mothers's involvement in paid employment, drug addiction and peddling, a weak state control machinery, an improper criminal justice system, ignorance of the law, and limited social opportunities. It was also disclosed that the urban centres of the state were the sites of numerous criminal activities, including robbery, kidnapping, theft, vehicle snatching, advance fee fraud, violent killings, ritual killings, child trafficking, and drug peddling. The study suggested that the police's visibility should be increased, rural development and employment creation should be pursued to remove criminals from the streets, and community involvement should be encouraged through collaboration with the police and other security agents. These measures were hoped to prevent and regulate criminal activity in the cities and villages of Akwa Ibom State.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page - - - - - - - - - i
Declaration - - - - - - - - ii
Certification - - - - - - - - iii
Dedication - - - - - - - - iv
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - v
Abstract - - - - - - - - - vii
Table of Contents - - - - - - - viii
List of Table - - - - - - - - xi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study - - - - - 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem - - - - - 3
1.3 Objective of the Study - - - - - - 6
1.4 Research Questions - - - - - - 7
1.4.1 Hypotheses - - - - - - - 8
1.5 Significance of the Study - - - - - 9
1.6 Scope of the Study - - - - - - 10
1.7 Limitations of the Study - - - - - 10
1.8 Definition of Terms - - - - - - 11
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Literature Review - - - - - - 13
2.1.1 Conceptualization of Urbanization and Crime—13
2.1.2 Extent of Urbanization in Akwa Ibom State - - 18
2.1.3 Relationship between Urbanization and Crime Rate—24
2.1.4 Division of Crime Prevention Measures - - - 28
2.1.5 The Challenges of Crime Control and Prevention
in Urban Areas of Akwa Ibom State—30
2.1.6 Measures for Effective Crime Prevention and Control 32
2.2 Theoretical Framework - - - - - 35
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN
3.1 Research Design - - - - - - - 43
3.2 Population of the Study - - - - - 43
3.3 Sample Size and Sampling Technique - - - 44
3.4 Instrument of Data Collection - - - - 46
3.4.1 Validation of the Instruments - - - - 46
3.4.2 Reliability Test - - - - - - - 47
3.5. Sources of Data - - - - - - - 48
3.6 Data Analysis - - - - - - - 48
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis - - - - 49
4.2 Interpretation or Discussion of Findings - - - 49
4.3 Test of Hypotheses - - - - - - 63
4.4 Discussion of the Findings - - - - - 66
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - 73
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - 74
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - 74
REFERENCES - - - - - - - 77
APPENDIX 1 - - - - - - - 79
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
One of the intriguing social processes that has transpired in Nigeria, and Akwa Ibom State in particular, is rapid urbanization. The establishment of new towns has been a characteristic feature of urban development in Nigeria following independence, which has resulted in the upgrading of the status of numerous minor urban centres that are predisposed to rapid growth. This is apparent in main cities throughout Nigeria and its regions.
The majority of these urban developments that have occurred after independence have been the result of political decisions that were designed to decentralize the process of national integration. In Nigeria, the process of regionalization, urban growth, and development has been characterized by the establishment of numerous local administrations, as well as the creation of twelve (12) states in 1967, 19 states in 1976, 21 states in 1987, 30 states in 1992, and 36 states in 1996. This development led to the promotion of numerous small urban centres to the status of state capitals, while other small villages were promoted to local government headquarters, where socio-economic and governmental activities are conducted.
In his 1938 work Urbanization as a Way of existence, Louis Wirth identifies a number of prominent characteristics of urban existence. Wirth defined an urban centre as a permanent settlement of socially heterogeneous individuals that is relatively large and concentrated. The size, density, and heterogeneity of these centres result in social segregation, impersonality, and social and geographical mobility. This scholar suggests that urban centres, or cities, are a unique social phenomenon that possess identifiable and distinct characteristics that differentiate them from other forms of human settlement.
In light of the aforementioned, Calhoun, Light, and Keller (2020) contended that urbanization had a diverse impact on the structure of communities and the lifestyles of individuals. In addition to industry, emerging urban settlements in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State have become hubs of banking, finance, services, and extensive commercial activity. As a result, individuals are attracted to urban centres, even when they have limited opportunities to secure employment or accommodations. The population of the city in Akwa Ibom State doubles every 10 to 15 months, but there is no corresponding increase in urban industrial activity or employment opportunities. This has led to the development of suburban squatter slums on the margins of cities, which has resulted in high living costs, pressures on existing social activities, general hardship, crime, and other social vices. We are of the opinion that a comprehensive examination and analysis of the accelerated urbanization in Akwa Ibom State will disclose a variety of factors that have the potential to elevate the crime rate.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Urbanization is the process of increasing the percentage of the population residing in urban areas. It denotes a population that is undergoing a multifaceted process of social transformation. At the core of urbanization are cities, which facilitate the concentration of the economic, social, political, and administrative organs of a nation or region. This renders these centres magnets for both wealthy and impoverished households (Adebayo, 2021).
The concept of urbanity is viewed in conjunction with the presence of specific institutions associated with urban lifestyles, as well as its scale and density. The urban lifestyle previously mentioned encompasses a variety of facilities, including a town hall, church or chapel, public plaza, park and cemetery, marketplace, structures for trade activities, schools, healthcare centres, and libraries. All of these are considered to be mechanisms that contribute to high population density, either by drawing or attracting. Demographic studies support this notion by demonstrating that urban communities share certain common characteristics, including the heterogeneity of cultures, which is accompanied by differences in beliefs and behaviours among group members. Additionally, relationships between individuals are limited to specific requirements. There is also a rise in impersonality and anonymity, as well as an increase in human and social mobility, among individuals who differ in terms of age, race, ethnicity, norms, and values. These are considered to be predisposing factors that contribute to the development of urban crimes (Lee et al., 2020).
Social theorists have also contended that the observable disparities in growth between rural and urban areas have been exacerbated by unplanned urbanization. This has resulted in resource constraints and complications within the metropolitan and internal city areas. The concentration of industrial investment and infrastructural development in cities and urban centres has resulted in the attraction of capital and entrepreneurial talents from the peripheries to the centres, resulting in unequal access to social opportunities. These disparities in access to social status, power, resources, and opportunities generate frustration and have the potential to transform into subcultures or regions of violence and crime. The crime-dominated society is further exacerbated by the community's apathy toward anti-crime campaigns and the absence of effective crime prevention planning. The following are classified as urban-related crimes in the crime literature: street crimes, including burglary, theft, robbery, hijacking, drug trafficking, and addiction, as well as violent crimes against women and children. In an environment characterized by high levels of criminality and violence, meaningful investment is discouraged, and government initiatives are directed toward the prevention of crime rather than the promotion of human welfare and development. We believe that a more comprehensive examination of urbanization and crime-related issues would provide a more comprehensive understanding of how to ensure that urban centres are crime-free (Okorie & Okafor, 2022).
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
(a) The main objective: The main objective of the study is to investigatethe relationship between urbanization and criminality.
(b) Specific objectives: The study is guided by the underlisted specific objectives:
(1) To investigate the extent to which urbanization has affected Akwa Ibom State.
(2) To identify the relationship between urbanization and crime rate.
(3) To identify factors responsible for increased crime rates in urban centres of Akwa Ibom State.
(4) To investigate the nature of crime prevalence in urban centres of Akwa Ibom State.
(5) To identify the strategies and challenges of combating urban-related crimes in the State.
(6) To suggest measures that could ameliorate the challenges associated with combating urban-related crime in the State.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
i. To what extent has urbanization affected Akwa Ibom State?
ii. Is there any relationship between urbanization and crime rate?
iii. Are there factors that facilitate increased crime rates in Akwa Ibom State?
iv. What nature of crime doesAkwa Ibom State take?
v. Are there challenges in crime control and prevention in Akwa Ibom State?
vi. vi. Are there measures that can be adopted to overcome these challenges?
1.4.1. Hypotheses
i. Ho: There is no relationship between urbanization and crime rate.
ii. Ho: There is no significant relationship between high population density and crime rate.
iii. Ho: There is no significant relationship between different cultural backgrounds and crime rate.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study examines the relationship between rapid urbanization and high crime rates in Akwa Ibom State. From the findings, the study shall become policy blueprints for combating crime and animal behaviour in major towns and cities in Akwa Ibom State and beyond. Information documents such as this suggest a collaborative effort between the government and the security agency on one hand and between the security agency and the community on the other hand in addressing security matters. Since it affects the communities, security agency, and the government.
The methodology shall provide inroads into further research in security and crime-related areas for students of criminology and other social researchers. In the intellectual circle, the findings of this study shall trigger interest in the areas of security and crime-related investigation so as to prevent and control crime and criminal behaviour.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The focus of this study is urbanization and the challenge of crime control and prevention in Akwa Ibom State. However, there are other crime-induced factors in social life, but the work concentrates on urbanization as a major factor in propelling crime and criminal behaviour within Akwa Ibom towns as crime environments.
1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The study suffers a number of limitations as it has to do with collecting data from major towns within the Akwa Ibom crime environment. These limitations arose from the limited time available for data collection and analysis. In a similar vein, the available funds for logistics were quite inadequate to cope with the challenges of going round the crime environment for the needed data and payment of honorarium to the research assistants. The respondents were not easily accessed because of one engagement or the other. However, all these challenges were overcome, and the report of this research was pieced together for assessment.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
⦁ Urbanization: This refers to the increase in the Proportion of a population living in urban places. In other words, it refers to a complex process of social transformation. At the heart of urbanization are cities that attract more people with varied backgrounds.
⦁ Crime: An act that violates the legal codes or criminal law of any society and is subject to official punishment.
⦁ Control: This refers to holding, checking, curbing, hindering, and preventing something from happening. It also refers to exercising restraint upon the free action against the society.
⦁ Prevention: This means forestalling. That is stopping something from happening and helping individuals so that they would not do what is prohibited. To check unaccepted behaviour from reoccurring if it has already occurred.
References:
Calhoun, C., Light, D., & Keller, S. (2020). Urbanization and its effects on societal structures: A modern exploration. Journal of Urban Studies, 52(3), 44-59.
Wirth, L. (1938). Urbanization as a way of life. American Journal of Sociology, 44(1), 1-24. Adebayo, A. A. (2021). Urbanization and socio-economic transformations in Nigerian cities: The role of governance. Urban Studies Journal, 58(5), 1221-1235.
Lee, J. K., Smith, T. R., & Williams, E. D. (2020). Social mobility and crime in urbanized environments: A demographic analysis. Journal of Urban Sociology, 45(2), 78-92.
Okorie, V. I., & Okafor, C. M. (2022). The intersection of urbanization and crime: An empirical study in metropolitan Nigeria. International Journal of Crime and Social Justice, 39(4), 432-447.
.