NCJ Number
99082
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1984) Pages: 122-135
Date Published
1984
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the incidence of armed robbery in Nigeria, factors contributing to its high incidence, the effectiveness of capital punishment in deterring it, and proposals for countering it.
Abstract
International criminal statistics show approximately a 900-percent increase in armed robbery in Nigeria from 1970 through 1976 (12,153 reported cases in 1970 compared to 105,859 cases for 1976). This high incidence of armed robbery is due to many factors, including political development, police problems, undeveloped infrastructure, urbanization, changes in social values, and conspicuous consumption. The Nigerian civil war (1967-70) left sophisticated weaponry in the hands of unemployed soldiers who became criminals. The police have been ineffective against armed robbery because of their inferior equipment, low morale, corruption, and lack of public cooperation. Frequent power outages and a limited telephone system have also aggravated armed robbery, along with urbanization, materialistic social values, and the flaunting of wealth as a measures of status. Both Federal and State laws provide for the execution of robbers who use 'offensive' weapons in their crimes, but the threat of capital punishment has not deterred robbers, apparently because the gains from their crimes far outweigh the risk of apprehension. Improved police training and equipment could do much to increase the clearance rate, along with higher police salaries to attract qualified recruits and the establishment of better police-community relations. Forty-four references are listed.