Armed Robbery among Youths: Implication on Security in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the upsurge in armed robbery as a dimension of criminal activity among youths and its implications for security in Nigeria. It traces the root causes of armed robbery to lack of parental supervision, ethnic conflict, unemployment, and the inefficiency of security agencies resulting from corruption and complicity. The provision of adequate security is a social necessity for the smooth running of every society either developed or developing. The foremost social problem inhibiting security and developmental progress in Nigeria over the decades is the considerable increased rate of criminal activities among youths. Armed robbery is one of the most popular crimes in contemporary Nigerian society. It has to do with the unlawful utilization of any form of arms to forcefully deprive innocent people of their legitimate possessions. The study used qualitative method of data collection based on secondary data to explore the root causes and implications of armed robbery among youths. Findings revealed that youths are largely involved in armed robbery and other crimes majorly as a result of lack of supervision by parents, ineffectiveness of security agencies, unemployment and poverty. This has given rise to insecurity of lives and property of citizens. The study submits that if armed robbery is not handled properly, it will definitely threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria and portend grave dangers for National security. The study was hinged on the Rational Choice Theory and Robert K. Merton's Strain Theory (1968). The study recommended that a multi-pronged approach is needed to curb the menace of armed robbery in Nigeria, which include among others reduction of the means by tackling proliferation of illegal firearms through intensive border patrols and restricting access to weapons through the fire arms registry. Secondly, addressing socioeconomic and political factors such as unemployment, ethnicity, poverty, through skills acquisition and increased funding towards alternative means of subsistence by government like farming, rearing of animal and others to youths in order to help curb their engagement in armed robbery and other crimes.