PREVALENCE OF CRIME IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OF BOKKOS LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Crime hampers development and remains a major concern in rural communities, particularly among adolescents; therefore, this study investigated the prevalence, causes, and prevention of adolescent crime in Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 adolescents selected through stratified random sampling, with data collected using a structured questionnaire measured on a five-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree) and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations—in SPSS version 26. The findings indicated that theft and burglary were the most prevalent crimes, with 71.3% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing (M = 4.20, SD = 1.32), while 60.0% reported that adolescent involvement in rural crime had increased over the past year (M = 3.93, SD = 1.38). Drug abuse (56.0% agreement; M = 3.67, SD = 1.44) and peer pressure (54.7%; M = 3.60, SD = 1.67) were also identified as major contributors, whereas adolescent violence was not perceived as widespread, as 76.6% disagreed or strongly disagreed (M = 1.93, SD = 1.08). Poverty (62.7% agreement; M = 3.83, SD = 1.35), family instability (58.0%; M = 3.67, SD = 1.48), and unemployment (52.7%; M = 3.43, SD = 1.57) were identified as the primary drivers of adolescent crime. Regarding prevention, community policing (68.7% agreement; M = 3.94, SD = 1.13) and school-based awareness programs (66.0%; M = 3.91, SD = 1.12) were considered the most effective interventions, while NGO involvement was rated least effective, with 65.3% disagreement (M = 2.07, SD = 1.18). The study concludes that adolescent crime in Bokkos is influenced largely by economic hardship, family instability, and unemployment, and recommends comprehensive structural interventions alongside strengthened community- based prevention strategies to address the growing challenge of rural delinquency.