IMPACT OF CRIME ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTINNIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF OVIA-NORTHEASTLOCALGOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

This study examined the impact of crime on socio-economic development in Nigeria at Ovia-North East Local Government Area. The researcher is concerned with the growing rate of crime, which is perceived to have affected community development. Survey research methods were employed in this study and adhered to two techniques of data collection, namely, self-administered questionnaires and person-to-person interviews. The limitations of the study were economic and time factors. Hypotheses were tested, confirmed that there is indeed a relationship between high crime levels and unemployment. The study found that the Ovia-North East District is fraught with problems of high unemployment, high crime levels and lack of physical infrastructure. Secondly, it was shown that the levels of crime like robbery and assault cases are the order of the day. Many crimes are committed either during the day or at night. This study made several recommendations relating to what should be done to ensure that local residents, potential developers and investors feel safe at Ovia-North East areas. Among other recommendations put forward are the establishment of community relations with the police, like community policing forums (CPFs) and development community safety centres.