POVERTY AND ITS EFFECT IN CRIMINALITY – A STUDY OF MARARABA, KARU LGA

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POVERTY AND ITS EFFECT IN CRIMINALITY – A STUDY OF MARARABA, KARU LGA

ABSTRACT

The study examine poverty and its effect in criminality – a study of Mararaba, Karu LGA. This research project aims to explore the intricate relationship between poverty and criminality in Mararaba Karu Local Government Area (LGA). The study adopts a comprehensive and multidimensional approach to analyze how poverty, encompassing economic, social, and educational aspects, intersects with various forms of criminal behavior prevalent in the region. Through a combination of quantitative data analysis, qualitative interviews, and case studies, the research seeks to identify the key drivers of criminal activities linked to poverty shedding light on the underlying socio-economic factors influencing crime rates in Karu LGA. Ultimately, the findings of this investigation could inform evidence-based policy interventions and social programs aimed at alleviating poverty and mitigating criminality in the region, promoting a safer and more prosperous community

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

Karu is a Local Government Area (LGA) in Nasarawa — a state next to the Federal Capital Territory and the city of Abuja. According to the 2006 National Population Census, the population of Karu was 216,230, but due to its proximity to the country’s capital, the area is among the fastest growing urban settlements in the world, with an annual growth rate of 40 per cent (NPC 2010; Peace Works News, 2002). Karu’s rapid urbanization is taking place in the context of increased efforts by the government to restore the officially approved building plan for Abuja. In practice, this translates into the systematic demolition of shantytowns a measure which so far has rendered hundreds of thousands of people homeless and necessitated their relocation to satellite settlements, including those in Karu LGA. This development in turn was not only accompanied by a real and perceived increase in violent crime such as armed robberies, burglaries, kidnappings, car and motor bike snatchings, as well as rape, but it has also created a situation in which many minority groups living in isolated urban areas have been neglected by the police (Baker 2002). Over 80% of this population lives below the poverty line of less than one US dollar (1$) per day leading to poor standards of living. Thus, there is massive pressure on the meager resources like land, water, health, education, infrastructure, agriculture in the region.
The area has witnessed a high population growth of youths who are uneducated, dropouts. untrained in any skill and unemployed and idle. This has resulted in the perpetrations heinous crimes in the area such as murder, assault, rape, prostitution, theft, burglary, armed gangsters, banditry, trade in illicit drugs like “wee-wee” (Marijuana) and cough syrups.

Poverty as a social phenomenon has affected the entire population in the region. Poverty and inequality often results due to social instability, diseases, environmental degradation, struggle for natural resources and constraints on the basic needs in the society. In I 992 it was estimated that 42% of the approximately 525 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lived below the poverty line of US $370 per capita and the number was expected to increase by 50% in the year 2000. It is noted that women, children, old age, disabled and the orphans are the most affected with poverty. The unstable micro-economic environment, poor development policies which yield to slow economic growth, poor infrastructure, and dependency ratio in the area is also high. Due to the Vicious cycle of poverty, there is gross violation of human rights as per the Geneva Convention which states that every person has the right to life, liberty and security. There is need for proper planning, decision making and economic empowerment of Wamba people to alleviate poverty in the region. Indeed scarcities of the basic needs amongst the population causes social segmentation, group formation and strengthen groups identity which creates violent collective action which takes forms from crime, war, terrorism, riots, civil insurgencies, political repressions to its ultimate forms. Poverty due to low income creates problems for those who are not poor.

Crime committal among the people of Mararaba, Karu LGA, has created fear for development and investment in the area which has no industry and processing services to bring income and employment to the area. Means of livelihood in the major towns are mainly subsistence cassava farming, petty trading and casual labour to subsidize the family income. Acts of crime such as gambling, prostitution, vagrancy, are notorious to control in the area and thus referred to as victimless crimes. White collar crimes are committed by respectable persons through corruption. The purpose of this study is to investigate and establish the relationship between poverty and  crime in Mararaba, Karu LGA and recommend ways on reduction of crime and help the people of Mararaba, Karu LGA and the government to alleviate poverty in the area of study.

1.2       Statement of the Problem
Poverty has a great influence on the crime rate in Mararaba. Poverty can be in state of absolute where there is lack of the basic resources needed to maintain minimum of the physical health, while relative poverty has quantitative dimensions which refer to general standard of living in different societies due to cultural sensitivity and variations between and within societies over time. Poverty is due to massive inequality in allocation of investment, education, planning and policy implementation, inadequate health facilities, human rights violations such as economic empowerment, right for protection, security, children’s rights, and right to life.

Karu LGA Local Government Area in Nasarawa State with a population of216230 suffers from poverty and crime due to underdevelopment and expansive population which constraints the meager available natural resources. There are no tangible investments in the area to support its teeming populace. There are conflicts over the scarce resources like land ownership, safe drinking water, streams, food, education, health which results into conflicts and criminal activities and offences due to poverty. According to vigorous approach theory. societal poverty is essentially deprivation suffered by a large segment, of some important essentials for sustenance such as sufficient income to provide housing, clothing, food and education, health facilities adequate opportunities for employment which leads to societal stress. Stress leads to increasing the anger and frustration of the poor suffering who are then tempted to commit crime. There are no income generating investments as factories, plantations (cash crops) to employ the youths in the area leading to severe unemployment and crime in the region. The study seeks to examine the relationship between poverty and crime, the consequences to the population in the study area and hence recommends ways to curb the menace.

1.3       Objectives of the Study
the main objective of the study is investigate poverty and its effect in criminality – A study of Mararaba, Karu LGA.

The specific objectives of the study include:

1. To determine economic factors that lead to cycle of crime in Mararaba, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State
2. To investigate how employment status causes crime in Mararaba, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State.
3. To investigate how the neighbourhoods influence crime in Mararaba, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State.
4. To determine the consequences of poverty and crime to the population

1.4       Research Questions

The study was guided by the following questions:

1. Does financial standing of the respondents influence crime in Mararaba, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State?
2.  Does employment status of the respondents influence crime in Mararaha, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State?
3.  Does the neighbourhood of the respondents influence crime in Mararaba, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State?
4. Does poverty and crime have consequences on the population of Mararaba, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State?

1.5       Significance of the Study
The study on “Poverty and Its Effect on Criminality – A Study of Mararaba, Karu LGA” investigate the relationship between poverty and criminality in the specific context of Mararaba, which is located in the Karu Local Government Area (LGA). This type of study holds several significant implications and potential contributions:

1. Understanding the Link between Poverty and Criminality: The study seeks to explore whether there is a correlation between poverty and criminal behavior in Mararaba. This is significant because it can provide insights into whether socioeconomic factors play a role in shaping criminal activities in the area. If a significant relationship is found, it could highlight the need for targeted interventions to address poverty as a potential strategy for crime prevention.
2. Policy Recommendations: The study’s findings could have implications for local policymakers and law enforcement agencies. If poverty is identified as a contributing factor to criminality, policymakers might consider implementing strategies to alleviate poverty, such as job creation programs, education initiatives, and social welfare schemes. This could potentially lead to a reduction in crime rates over the long term.
3. Community Well-Being: Understanding the relationship between poverty and criminality can also impact the well-being of the community. If poverty is found to be a driver of criminal behavior, addressing poverty can lead to an improved quality of life for residents, fostering safer neighborhoods and better social cohesion.
4. Insights for Further Research: This study could serve as a foundation for further research in similar contexts or other regions. If the study identifies a correlation between poverty and criminality, researchers might delve deeper into understanding the underlying mechanisms and exploring additional factors that contribute to criminal behavior in poverty-stricken areas.
5. Criminal Justice System: The study’s findings might influence how the criminal justice system in the area approaches certain cases. If a relationship between poverty and criminality is established, it could lead to more nuanced approaches to sentencing and rehabilitation, taking into consideration the socioeconomic factors that might have contributed to criminal behavior.
6. Preventing Crime Cycles: If the study identifies poverty as a factor that contributes to criminal behavior, addressing poverty could potentially break the cycle of crime. By providing individuals with opportunities to improve their living conditions and socioeconomic status, the likelihood of engaging in criminal activities might be reduced, leading to long-term positive outcomes for the community.
7. Public Awareness: The study could also raise public awareness about the complex interplay between poverty and criminality. This awareness might lead to increased empathy and understanding among community members, encouraging a more supportive environment for those struggling with poverty and potential criminal tendencies.

In summary, the study’s significance lies in its potential to shed light on the relationship between poverty and criminality in Mararaba, providing insights that can inform policy decisions, community development initiatives, and strategies for crime prevention and reduction.

1.6       Scope of the Study
The study is focused on Mararaba, Karu LGA of Nasarawa State which is one of the over populated and poverty stricken areas resulting to various crimes.

1.       Limitation of the Study

The study was limited to assess or establish the relationship between poverty and crime amongst 100 inhabitants of Mararaba and its implication on the economic development within the region.

• High cost of transportation to cover larger area is a limitation on the research.
• The refusal of some respondents to disclose certain critical information may also limit the study.
• The concurrence of carrying out the research and attending classes also pose a limitation on the research.

1.8       DEFINITION OF TERMS
Poverty: The state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions. The vicious cycle of poverty has been defined as the phenomenon where poor families become trapped in poverty for at least three generations. The families have either limited resources or no resources. The concept of the vicious cycle of poverty holds that low productivity leads to low income, low income leads to low savings and low savings leads to low investment and low investment to low productivity.

Crime: A crime is a violation of criminal statutory law and a specific punishment applied by some government authority generally accompanies the violation. Criminal activities and crime rates vary in different legal jurisdictions which accompany differences in rates of enforcement.
Criminality: This refers to behaviour that is contrary to or forbidden by criminal law. It can also refer to criminal acts or practices.

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