Spatial Distribution of Crime and Deviance in Urban Nigeria: A Theoretical Exposition

Abstract

Several earlier researches have demonstrated that crime has a regional or sectional distribution in Nigeria. This position is in consonance with global geographical studies and environmental criminology which affirms that crime is often concentrated in clusters, generally referred to as hotspots. This paper explores criminological theories and propositions to summarise and extend understanding of environmental sources of criminal behaviour in Nigeria. In doing this, the study attempted to complement the social psychological approaches that have dominantly been used in explaining crime in Nigeria. This is premised on the realisation that insecurity stands as one of the main impediments towards Nigeria achieving 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing from the theoretical positions of the Chicago School on social ecology of crime, rational choice, and routine activity theories, the study emphasised the complex matrix between urbanisation, population density, poverty and transient neighbourhoods, as determinants of crime distribution in urban Nigeria. In the urban areas, housing problems have trailed the rapid rate of urbanisation in the country as the cities cannot cope with the increasing migration from rural areas leading to the growth of slums. The unfavourable conditions that urban dwellers are exposed to and the high level of inequality within cities are part of criminogenic conditions that enable crime and deviance to thrive in specific areas of urban centres in Nigeria. Redressing the political, social and economic problems posed by speedy urbanisation is one of the most pressing governance challenges confronting successive Nigerian governments. The study suggests the need for Nigerian cities to adopt the principles of sustainable urbanisation as a means of managing and guiding the process and consequences of urban development. If pragmatic efforts are made to effectively manage urbanisation, Nigerian cities will be both sustainable and able to provide human security and deep sense of belonging to all citizens.