A CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON REGIONAL POLICING AND CRIME PREVENTION IN NIGERIA
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON REGIONAL POLICING AND CRIME PREVENTION IN NIGERIA

Summary/Abstract: This study assessed the impact of regional policing on crime prevention with emphasis on Amotekun in Oke Ogun and Ibarapa communities of Oyo State, Nigeria. The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of crime on socio-economic development of residents of Oyo State and the efforts of Amotekun on the prevention of crimes. Descriptive survey was adopted for the purpose of research methodology. A total of 139 respondents were drawn out of the population 1,602,979 using Taro Yarmane’s statistical formula and simple random sampling. Copies of questionnaire were distributed to them to generate information relevant to the research questions raised. The methods of data analysis consisted of cumulative frequency tables, figure, simple percentage, mean average and hypotheses were tested using Chi-Square and correlation statistical tools (Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23). The study discovered that criminal activities have significantly affected the socio-economic development of Oyo State in ways such as decline in investments, limited movements of people, social order disruption, chaos and confusion and it hinders community collaboration and trust. Challenges of regional policing as revealed by the findings include the following; community mistrust, frosty relationship between government security agencies and community members, godfatherism interference, inadequate infrastructure and poor funding and dearth of modern weapons. The study recommended that the State government should intensify efforts by proving more funds for Amotekun which would be judiciously utilized to purchase modern security gadgets in order to reduce armed robbery, kidnapping and banditry within Oyo State. Also achievements of Amotekun should be publicized to the public so as to put more fear in the hearts of criminals or intended criminals to stay off crime. Town hall meetings consisting of members of Amotekun, government officials and other security agencies should be organized regularly as to educate the people about the importance of regional policing and its impact on crime prevention.

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