Nigerian Police Force and Fight Against Urban Crimes in Nigeria: Assessment of Socio-Economic Implications (Published)
This study assessed the socio-economic implications of the fight against urban crimes in Nigeria by the Nigerian Police Force. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design and made use of both primary and secondary sources of data. The population of the study was the police men and women of the Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigerian Police Force State Commands in Imo, Lagos and Abuja numbering 165 (which also serves as sample population of the study). The study adopted the non-probability (judgmental) sampling technique; and the data collected through structured questionnaire instrument were presented and analyzed using frequency percentage and chi-square (X2) statistical instrument of analysis. The study revealed a number of drivers of crimes in urban areas as well as the socio-economic implication of crimes in urban areas in Nigeria. Based on the revelations, the researchers recommended among others that there should be a very proactive and responsive security template for security outfits in Nigeria to ensure adequate safety of lives and properties within the country as it would go a long way in addressing the operational inefficiency and logistical challenges faced by Commands of the Nigeria Police Force in responding adequately to meet residents’ demand for security of their lives and properties.
Keywords: Crime, Police force, Violence, socio-economic implication, urban area
Electoral Malpractice as a Challenge to Sustainable Development in Nigeria (Published)
This study is a descriptive one. It examines the motives behind electoral malpractice in Nigeria, finds out the factors that aid the act in the study area, and discusses the consequences of electoral malpractice on the country’s sustainable development. It relied on secondary data that were content analysed. The study found that crave for power, attitude of the politicians who see politics as investment, vengeance and preponderance of seeing electoral periods as pay-back times are some of the motives for engaging in electoral malpractice. Additionally, poverty, lack or poor political education, bribery and corruption, and inadequate planning on the part of political parties/candidates are some of the factors responsible for electoral malpractice. The study also found that electoral malpractice slows down development, breeds violence and destroys the image of Nigeria. The study further draws implications of electoral malpractice for the Nigerian state. As ways out of the challenge, there is need for more political education by National Orientation Agency and Independent National Electoral Commission, institution of electoral-courts, and thorough enforcement of the electoral act, making the electoral body truly autonomous and putting of appropriate legislation in place to punish offenders in order to overcome some of the havocs electoral malpractice wrecks in Nigeria.
Keywords: Development, Election, Violence, electoral courts, electoral malpractice