THE POLICE AND CRIME CONTROL IN ABUJA METROPOLIS

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THE POLICE AND CRIME CONTROL IN ABUJA METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

This research work examines the Nigeria Police force and crime control in Abuja metropolis with the specific objectives to examine the role of the Nigeria Police in combating crime in the society, identify the inadequacies of the police in the discharge of their functions and to proffer practical solutions for combating crimes in Nigeria. The methods of data collection were primary and secondary data method. The data collected were analyzed by use of simple percentages and descriptive statistics. Findings of the study show that the Nigeria police force performed several roles such as crime detection, prevention, control and prosecution of criminals in their attempt to maintain law and orderliness in the community but without challenges, such challenges as identified by the include but limited to corruption, poor welfare, poor funding, inadequate arms and ammunition and lack of public support. Finally the study recommend that the Nigerian police force should put more effort in improving  their relationship with the members of the public in other to gain the confidence of the people for easy flow of information which is the pillar of crime control and prevention and the government at all level should help in the provision of sophisticated arms, patrol vans/ power bikes, rain coat, and all other crime fighting arms to both the Police to help them contribute effectively for a better crime free society especially Abuja metropolis.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Background of the study

Crime is one of the most obvious events which confront people in this modern age (Giddens, 2004). According to Ugwuoke (2010), crime and criminality are as old as mankind. Crime to Marshall (2008) is a universal feature of all human societies. The reason for this according to Marshall is because there is no human society where norms and values are not violated, from the simplest hunting and gathering societies to the most complex civilized societies. It is because of this universal character of crime that every society is expected to have ‘specific mechanisms for the overall interest and wellbeing of the generality of the populace’ (Igbo, 2007:14)

The phenomenon, “crime” has been a major subject of private and public concern throughout human history. No society is free of crime. However, the question often asked is that even if crime is part of inevitable human behaviour, how much of it can a society tolerate? This question is linked to man’s natural instinct for survival, the ability to respond to any threat to his life and property. Crime poses such a threat, particularly in its violent form. The recent upsurge in violent crimes in Nigeria has created enormous uncertainty in the security of lives and property of individuals and of social stability in general. The incidents of traditional crimes such as armed robbery, arson, drug trafficking and abuse, murder, kidnapping, rape, hired assassinations and ritual killings are examples of the most serious and violent crimes which have been on the increase in the recent past. Correspondingly, White Collar Crimes in the form of Advance Fee Fraud (popularly, known as 419), contract deals, embezzlement and mismanagement in both the public and private sectors are also on the increase. The aggregate of the traditional crimes mostly committed by the less privileged and white collar crimes mostly committed by the highly placed call for a change in the strategies for the prevention and control of crime in Nigeria and Abuja in particular.

The existing patterns in criminal activities show that criminals are getting more organized, sophisticated and brutal in the manner they carry out their dastardly acts, either in the way they physically attack individuals with dangerous weapons or the method they use in taking advantage of their official positions to steal and stash away millions of public funds in foreign and domestic accounts. Equally worrisome is the new dimension in organized criminal behaviour in Nigeria involving acts of terrorism and sabotage against individuals and public places. Recent incidents, in which some individual were stalked and eventually trapped in the volley of bullets from assault weapons, depict the viciousness of violent criminals. These acts are usually well-planned, orchestrated, syndicated and organized in the mafia-type fashion. In addition to these new patterns of violent crimes against persons, there is also the equally disturbing criminal behaviour against the Nigerian economy leading to the collapse of financial institutions and government parastatals. In short, we are witnessing the emergences of dangerous trends in the nation’s social and economic well-being which needs to be addressed by the appropriate authorities saddled with the responsibilities of maintaining peace and orderly in the society among which is the Nigeria Police Force.

The law has clothed the Nigeria Police with enviable powers in the sphere of administration of justice, preservation of law, order and maintenance of national tranquility. The section from the 1999 Constitution provides that the Police shall be organized and administered in accordance with such provisions as may be prescribed by the Act of the National Assembly. In exercise of the constitutional powers conferred on the National Assembly to enact the Police Act.

In the exercise of its primary powers, the Police also act in other spheres which are necessarily incidental to the exercise of the actual powers of the police. For instance, in the exercise of the primary duty of the police under section 4 of the Police Act, the Act gives the Police the power of public prosecution. By these powers, the police can charge and prosecute any person suspected to have committed a crime before any court of law in Nigeria.

In the bid to create a favourable condition for the discharge of the duty of the police; the Police Act has also given the police the power to arrest any person suspected to have committed a crime with or without warrants. The Police by the provision of the Act is also empowered to detain any person reasonably suspected to be in possession or carrying stolen property, or property that is reasonably believed to be unlawfully obtained. For the purpose of forensic investigation, the law empowers the police to take finger prints. It should, however, be noted that the exercise of these numerous powers conferred on the police has to be discharged with due regards to reasonability and decorum. Any exercise of such powers in contravention of procedures accepted practice and the rights of individuals would be rendered ultra-vires null and void. This is importantly so as individual rights are also fundamentally guaranteed by the same Constitution that confers powers on the police.

The vital and indispensable roles peace and security play in all facets of human development and existence, especially in our society incontrovertibly cannot either be swept under the carpet or dismissed with mere wave of hands. This is true because in any society, be it simple or complex, developed or developing and rural or urban, man in his state of nature is a wanting animal, and insatiable, who is always confronted with the problems of diverse interest and goals, at times insolvable, unless infringement upon other people’s right is employed, it is against this background that this study seek to examine the police and crime control in Abuja metropolis.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

Crime and the cases of crime is fast becoming a serious problem in contemporary world. The high rate of crime in Abuja the Federal Capital Territory has raised a general feeling of insecurity of lives and property, and have made residents of the city to cry out for urgent assistance to curb the ugly situation in order to safeguard the lives and property of community members. In an anxious bid to tackle this rising wave of crime, the governments have increased support to Nigeria police service in areas of personnel, logistics and firearms. However it seems that the more weapons and police personnel deployed to fight crime, the more criminal activities are committed. Chukwuma (2002) noted that the much that has been achieved seems to be crime spreading from one area to another. The argument therefore is that to deal with the growing sophisticated armed robbery operations, superior weapons, more personnel and new methods or strategy like police/public partnership (community policing) should be introduced.

1.3     Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to appraise the performance of the police in their role of crime control in Abuja metropolis. The specific objectives of this research work are:

1. To examine the role of the Nigeria Police in combating crime in the society.
2. To identify the inadequacies of the police in the discharge of their functions.
3. To proffer practical solutions for combating crimes in Nigeria.

1.4     Research Questions

1. What are the roles of the Nigeria Police in combating crime in the society?
2. What are the inadequacies of the police in the discharge of their functions?
3. What are the practical solutions for combating crimes in Nigeria?

1.5     Significance of the Study

The importance of this research work cannot be over emphasized. It analyses the role of Police in crime control in the Nigeria society in order to give the public clearer views on police administration.

Also, the research is necessitated to show case the indiscriminate violations of human rights by the police and the gross increase of crime rate in the country which often leaves much to be desired.

With the above issues, this research will serve as a viable source of information to all and sundry. First, it will benefit the police, those engaged in crime control and administration of justice, law enforcement agencies and the court. It will also provide relevant suggestions on how best to curb the increase of crimes; it is also of immense benefit to policy makers, government officials, academicians, students and anyone interested in the peaceful co-existence of the Nigerian populace.

1.6     Scope of the Research

This research is limited to the role of Nigeria Police in crime control in Abuja. It will also look into the issues of crimes prevention and mechanisms for control crimes in Nigeria. But, reference shall be made to Abuja metropolis. Analysis was also made to other police organization to enhance more knowledge on this area.

1.7     Operational Definition of Terms

The following basic concepts are operationalized for easy comprehension of the study:

Community Policing: It is a collaborative effort between the police and the members of the public to identify the problems of crime and disorder and to develop solutions from within the community in crime reduction.

Crime: Crime in this study means any action which contravenes the laws established by political authority.

Crime Control: In this study, crime control is the means of solving crime problems, arresting suspects, processing and incapacitating offenders by the members of society, agents and the criminal justice system.

Crime Fighting Policing: This is the kind of policing that do not need the collaboration of the member of the society in crime control/fight but solely depend on themselves to dictate and control crime example is the police we have during military era.

Crime Prevention: In this study, it is the present interventions in stopping future crime.

Crime Reduction: It is all the effort from the people and the government to reduce the rate of crime in a given society.

Law Enforcement Agencies: They are those that are responsible for detecting, fighting and controlling crime in any society.

Perception: It is the way a set of people see or understand a given circumstances, or the awareness created by some people about something or issues.

Strategy: In this study, strategy is the way or means of doing the same thing in a different way for more positive result.

Traditional Policing: Principally, they are government agency responsible for law enforcement and also to detect and arrest criminals, (Swanson, Territo and Taylor 1998). It is also to mean in this research work the kind of police system used before the advent of the colonial masters, whereby the emirs at the north uses palace guards, the oba at the west make use of palace guards and council of elders of the east uses age-grade to ensure order.

THE IMPACT OF CRIME ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUE A CASE STUDY OF ABEOKUTA

 

THE IMPACT OF CRIME ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUE

A CASE STUDY OF ABEOKUTA

 

ABSTRACT

 

This study examines the impact of Abuja railway stations on residential and commercial property values.To achieve the aim, the researcher seek to identify the types of crime common in the study area, assess the factors that encourage crime and analyze the relationship between crime rate and residential property value in Abeokuta. The research adopted the survey design which offers the opportunity to gather information through the use of questionnaires, personal interview and observation. Total of 100 copies of structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents comprising of residents of Abeokuta and professionals in real estate. Data were presented and analysed using simple statistical tools. The study revealed that the operation of the railway station did not have any significant impact on the property value.This means that increase in property rental value observed is not attributed to the operation of the railway station.Finally, it is recommended that the government should increase the operational capacity of the railways station, beyond its present level and to also increase the numbers of transits per day as this will encourage more patronage thereby impacting positively on property value. Also the planning authority should ensure adequate planning provisions to accommodate further development of commercial and residential properties within and around the network node.

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the study

Most urban cities of the world have experienced a remarkable rapid urban growth resulting from industrialization and technological advancement. All over the world threats from terrorism, drug cartel and organized crime have been increasing at an alarming rate (Mishral, 2013). In Nigeria, industrialization and unplanned urbanization characterized the economic and social growth processes. The spatial expression of these realities and the consequence of simultaneous urbanization with the uncontrolled growth pattern in the most of the urban cities are manifested in diverse urban problems such as urban decay where visible forms of drugs use anti–social behaviorand criminal damage to public and private properties are the order of the day (Giblion, 2004).

 

Crime and insecurity has been established to negatively influence residential property value, individual’s mental, physical and social activities and also the vitality of residential neighbourhood (De Biasi, 2017). According to Ahmed (2012), crime occurrence in Nigerian cities have shifted from simple crime such as stealing, burglary, rape etc to more sophisticated crime of terrorism, kidnapping, child trafficking etc. The environmental, social health and economic ramifications of this situation in our cities have tremendous impact on urban economy and security (Ogboi 2009).

 

According to the 1999 Federal Republic of Nigerian constitution, ‘security and welfare of people stands as one of the main purpose of the government existence’ however, this constitutional responsibility have long failed in placing a safe and secured environment for properties, lives, individual daily operations and economic events except for those in government’s high ranking positions who are usually guided by all sort of security (Okonkwo, et al, 2015). More so, these disquieting insecurity levels have increased the terrorism and crime rate in different states of the country with Abeokuta not excluded. The crime rate across the country keep breeding destruction of properties and live as well as increasing fear of insecurity. This then leaves revolting consequences for people, business and economic growth as activities such as foreign direct invest and international organisations wishing to invest in the country’s real estate are being discouraged.

 

On a general note real estate owners or users are often prone to diverse form of insecurity ranging from natural disaster like earthquake; hurricane sandy to that of man-made insecurity and so on, which constitute mainly properties and violent crime (Olajide and Mohg Lizam, 2017). The recent crime profile of Abeokuta, the study area, has nexus with the urbanization and rural urban migration effects manifesting in it. However, incidence of crime in Abeokuta seems to be higher in the poorer neighborhoods where higher population density, deteriorated living condition and unemployment are rife. The inadequate policing in the areas makes the victims soft targets for criminal tendencies. There are also incidents of crime such as armed robbery, pick pocketing, and vandalism in the posh residential areas and commercial precincts that raise poser about the livability of the study area, and the ability of it to attract investments that rely on adequate security for survival. It is against this background that this study seek to examine the impact of crime on residential property value in Abeokuta,

 

 

1.2       Statement of problems

The problem of urban crime has typically been viewed as a cost to society in terms of bodily injury, property loss and police protection costs.  The impact of urban crime on the total utility derived from urban living has become a topic of increasing concern as millions of naira are invested to  increase the levels of residential home security systems which ranges from simple to sophisticated security system such as trained dogs, thermal cameras, high/electric fencing, vigilantes, fire/back to base alarm systems, panic buttons, surveillance equipment and wire, fire system, home automation, temperature, spikes floor and water sensors, CCTV monitors, video recorders, 24hours security guards, and any type of anti-intruder perimeter control systems (Radetskiy, et al 2015). This however has not been fully employed in Nigeria owning to procurement cost, difficulty in installation or use as well as the unplanned nature of most housing environments. Ajibola, et al (2011) noted the inefficient security problem within the length and breathe of the country which has resulted into numerous crime acts, loss of lives and properties. This has made some residential property owners and tenants to vacate their comfort zone in search for a secured environment which are less comfortable. More so, it was observed that some fully furnished apartment across states including Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria are scarcely occupied owning to the rate of crime which then affects developer’s profit property value in general. These problems have necessitated this research to examine the impact of crime on residential property value in Abeokuta.

 

1.3       Aim and objectives

The aim of this project is to examine the impact of crime on residential  property value, a case study of Abeokuta.

The following specific objectives will be pursued:

1.      To identify the types of crime common in the study area

2.      To assess the factors that encourage crime in the study area

3.      To analyze the relationship between crime rate and residential property rental value in Abeokuta.

 

1.4        Research Questions

In attempt to achievement the objectives of the study, the following research questions will serve as a guide:

i.                    What are the types of crime common in the study area?

ii.                  What are the factors that encourage crime in the study area?

iii.                What is the relationship between crime rate and residential property rental value in Abeokuta?

 

1.5       Justification of the study

The outcome of this study will educate the general public the impact of crime on residential properties as the study will proffer solution to the problem of insecurity; improve lives and property and development of infrastructures to avoid low property rental value in the study area

This will also sensitize the policy makers on the need to beef up security in order to safeguard life and property in the   study area. 

This research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars, estate surveyors and valuer, property developers, investors and researchers interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.

 

1.6       Scope of the study

The scope of this study is limited to the impact of crime on residential property value. The study will be geographically limited to Abeokuta the state capital of Ogun state and will be further to only residential properties in the categories of tenement building, self contains, block of flats, bungalows and duplex.

 

1.7       Definition of Terms

Crime: A crime is an unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority. One proposed definition is that a crime or offence (or criminal offence) is an act harmful not only to some individual but also to a community, society or the state ("a public wrong").

Residential Property: it is a building that is used or suitable for dwelling purpose. They are dwelling house such as bungalows, duplex, detached houses, semi-detached houses, etc (Ogbodo, 2012).

Property: This is the embodiment of tangible ownership right or bundles of right in real estate. It could also be described as a concept of right which can be held separately (Babatunde, 2003)

Rental Value: This is the worth or value of property in an open market. It is also the value arising out of the lease or renting out of a property on a periodic basis usually yearly (Omole, 2001)

Residential: this can be defined as block of flats or bungalow duplex e.t.c in an area of a town suitable for living and consisting of houses rather than factories or office.

1.8       The Study Area

Abeokuta, Ogun State is the biggest city in the state, as well as its capital. It covers 879 square kilometres of land mass and has the population of almost half a million people. Abeokuta was founded in 1830 after the intertribal wars ravaged refugees in Egba forest from their original homes between 1817 and 1830. The name of the town "ABEOKUTA" was derived from the protection which the fleeing settlers sought under the Olumo Rock, now a tourist center in the town. Abeokuta means 'the refugees under a rock', signifying the protection which the Olumo Rock offered the refugees from possible attacks. The first and major of these series of internecine wars was the one which broke out as a result of an incident at Apomu Market, now in the Irewolede Local Government area of Osun State. In 1821, an Owu man who sold alligator peppers was at Apomu Market selling his wares. He laid them out in piles containing 200 peppers each. An Ijebu woman came to the market and purchased a pile. She did not verify on the spot the correctness of the number of peppers in the pile she selected, but found it convenient to do counting on reaching home. She claimed to find only 199, which meant that one was missing.

The Ijebu woman went back to the market to accost the Owu man over the one pepper by which the portion she selected was less, and demanded restitution of the missing one. But the Owu man objected, maintaining that he was sure of his own count. The argument over this single pepper developed into an open quarrell between the two of them. Later, it blew out into a fracas in which people of Owu and Ijebu clans in the market took sides with their kith and kin. Sectional sentiments soon became whipped up into open confrontation in which a life was lost and several people were injured.

Each side went home to narrate to their Oba, chiefs and townsmen the events of the day. As would be expected, each group took umbrage over what it considered to be a raw deal from the opposing camp. Within a matter of days, the fight over a single alligator pepper had resulted into a total war in which the Owu and Ijebu peoples threw caution to the winds and restored to open arms. Before this incident, the people of Ife had suffered defeats in the hands of the Owu people, and the Ijebu had similarly been routed by the Owu in a war fought over the slave trading. Now, both the Ife and Ijebu saw the opportunity to settle scores with the Owu by joining forces to face the Owu. Even the remnants of the Oyo forces, just returned from their mission to repel a Fulani invasion, and who were by then mere lay-about, teamed up with Ife and Ijebu forces. The combined attack of the Ife-Ijebu-Oyo coalition forced the Owu homeland to fall after a long siege, and the events following this catastrophe gave birth to the founding of Abeokuta a few years after.

The fall of the Owu homeland was quickly followed by the fall of some other Egba towns, each being sacked in succession by the alliance of the Ife-Ijebu-Oyo forces. The Egba towns which had folded their arms while the Owu people fought alone, now became victims of the ravening wolves represented by these rallies. The only pity of it was that among the first to fall was Ikija. Ikija was attacked because its people stood by the Owu people in the war of 'Alligator Pepper'. Before long, many Egba towns also fell and all the survivors eventually sought refuge in Abeokuta after a few years, and thus made Abeokuta their permanent place of sojourn.

Their decision to leave Ibadan for Abeokuta was nowever informed by the hostility of the Oyo, Ife and Ijebu, with whom they shared sojourn in Ibadan. Lamodi, a warrior of note, was credited with the initiative for the migration to Abeokuta, although he himself never saw the Promised Land because he died on the way. He was at the time the Balogun of the Egba people. Sodeke, who was then the Seriki of the Egba, took over and led the first wave of immigration to Abeokuta in 1830. Bringing up the rear of the migrants to Abeokuta were the Owu people in about the year 1834. Some others also came later.

The site they choose for Abeokuta was originally the farmland of an Itoko farmer whose name was Adagba. Adagba had no choice but to receive the Egba refugees with both hands and the credit he got was that Abeokuta became known by another name - 'OKO ADAGBA', meaning Adagba's Farmstead. On setting in Abeokuta, each community continued its main occupation of farming, cultivating mainly food crops and cash crops, notably cotton, palm-trees, and kola-nuts. A few did pretty trading and some practiced itinerant merchandising. There were also craftsmen, hunters, drummers, weavers and dryers; some practiced traditional healing, mingling it with some form of divination. They were very religious and each adhered to a belief in one God or another. They specialized in a genre of oral traditional poetry known as Ege which is both musical and philosophical in content and forms.

The first few years immediately following the settling in Abeokuta were fraught with difficulties - social, political and economic. But for the fact that they lived simple lives, they would have found the problems overwhelming. The problems of each group findings and selecting appropriate land to farm was enough to daunt them. And the quick succession of the waves of settlers posed problems with extra dimensions. The new pottage represented by the many group of settlers needed time to simmer and mellow down to attain acceptable taste. Then there were the need for food supply. Being new settlers, they needed a year or two to be able to plant enough food to feed themselves. So it was largely a question of scrounging for food on in the first two years by a people who had escaped from unsettling ravages of war. 

Between 1830 and the turn of the century, the settlers in Abeokuta were forced into fighting several wars. In these wars, they creditably proved their mettle. In 1832, the Ijebu Remo people provoked the new settlers into taking arms against several Ijebu Remo towns in a war called - Owiwi war. In 1834, the Ibadan people also challenged them to a war which resulted in the defeat of the Ibadan army in what was known as the Battle of Arakanga. In 1842, the settlers took the initiative of a war with the Ota people in order to ensure free movement through Ota territory each time they needed to get to Lagos to buy firearms. This led to another war in 1844 when they attacked Ado for assisting the Ota people two years before. The same year, the Dahomeans, under King Gezo, waged war against Abeokuta but were repulsed. The Dahomey army repeated the invasion in 1851 and suffered a similar defeat. In 1849, Abeokuta attacked Ibarapa for waylaying the Egba in their territory. Among other wars fought by Abeokuta were the Ijebu-Ere War in 1851, and the Ijaye War of 1860-1862, and the Makun War of 1862-1864, as well as a few others. In most of these encounters, they emerged victorious - although they suffered their own reverses in some as well. Among Egba war leaders were Sodeke, Ogunbona, Apati, Seriki Akoodu, Ogundipe Alatise, Sokenu, Basorun Somoye, Olufakun, Agbo, Lumloye, Iyalode Tinubu, Majekodunmi, and a host of others.