COMBATING BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY THROUGH A SUPERIOR IDEOLOGY: THE ROLE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Much has been written about Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. Most of these studies investigated the causes and consequences of Boko Haram insurgency without looking at the use of superior ideology in the combat of Boko Haram insurgency. The inadequacy of literature on the use of superior ideology in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency makes this paper imperative. Hence, the paper examined the combat of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria through a superior ideology. Despite the federal government’s military style fire for fire approach in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, the group is still carrying further attacks and are hailed as heroes by the same people the government is fighting to protect. In view of the above observation, the study recommends the need for a serious sensitization of mind and re-orientation of community members about the danger of Boko Haram activities and the need for them to actively join in the fight against terrorism. Also, there is need to strengthen and enthrone good governance in Nigeria since Boko Haram members cut across people who were frustrated due to poverty, economic inequality and depravation caused by bad governance.  Article visualizations

Correctional Programmes Within the Prison Community: The Views and Perception of Inmates and Staff in Anambra State Prisons, Nigeria

The aim of this study is to explore the views and perception of prison inmates and staff towards correctional programmes in Anambra State, prisons. The study was anchored on symbolic interactionism theory and employed the cross-sectional survey design; using the proportionate stratified sampling technique in the selection of 396 respondents that cut across various levels of prison inmates and prison officials in four prison locations in Anambra State. The structured questionnaire and In-depth Interview (IDI) Guide served as the instruments for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to code and analyze the quantitative data. Frequency tables and charts were employed to present and describe the data while the qualitative data were analyzed using the theme-based method of content analysis. The study concluded by recommending the need for periodic training of prison staffs on the current reformation and rehabilitation practices across the world so as to be able to make significant inputs that would help to change or motivate prison inmates’ behaviours for change. Keywords: Correction, Perception, Programmes, Views, Anambra State prison

Emerging Trends in Cybercrime Awareness in Nigeria

The study examined the current trend in cybercrime awareness and the relationship such trend has with cybercrime vulnerability or victimization. Selecting a sample of 1104 Internet users from Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, We found that: 1) awareness of information security was high in that about 2 in every 3 (68%) participants demonstrated a favorable awareness of information security and cybercrime. It was, however, revealed that such a high level of awareness could be partial and weak. 2) most Internet users demonstrated the awareness of fraud-related cybercrime categories (39%), e-theft (15%), hacking (12%), and ATM theft (10%). However, they were rarely aware of sexually related offenses, cyber-terrorism, malware attacks, spam emails, and identity theft as their proportion hovered around 8% and below. 3) Internet users significantly demonstrated more awareness of computer-assisted (M = 2.5; SD = 1.7) than that of computer-focused cybercrime categories (M = 2.2, SD = 1.3), t(1103) = 2.9, p=.000, r =.2. 4) Internet users significantly demonstrated more awareness of property cybercrime (M = 2.54; SD = 1.6) than that of violent cybercrime categories (M = 1.82, SD = 1.2), t(1103) = 5.94, p=.000, r =.3. 5) cybercrime awareness is positively correlated to cybercrime victimization experiences in that participants who demonstrated more awareness of cybercrime experienced significantly more cybercrime victimization (M = 1.66; SD = 1.7) than those who did not demonstrate awareness of cybercrime (M = .73, SD = 1.4), t(1103) = 7.55, p=.000, r =.52

Cybercrime: Victims’ Shock Absorption Mechanisms

The development of technology creates opportunities for businesses, seamless communications and leisure activities to thrive. However, it also propels crime. In Nigeria, cyber threat continues to evolve rapidly with rising number of victims on daily bases. This necessitated the present study that examines the shock absorption mechanism of the cybercrime victims in Nigeria. The data for this study came from a variety of sources, including books, articles, essays, tabloids, and journal publications; a content analysis approach was used to evaluate the data and present using certain words, themes, concepts, or codifications. The study found that the peculiarity of cybercrime lies in the fact that the victims willingly land themselves into it without being forced to do so. It starts with what seem to be a friendly conversation and exchange of correspondences and pleasantries which turns into a scamming spree. To this end, victims are left battered and shattered, and could act irrationally against own-self before state actors set out to track the offender(s). Thus, victims of cybercrime could absorb shock by spending quality time with significant others. This enables them feel the love and moral supports from close associates, other than wallow in loneliness and isolation which can breed unpleasant stimuli

The Troubling Epidemic of Wife-Battering in Ogbaru and Onitsha North Local Government Areas of Anambra State, Nigeria

Purpose: Debates and assumptions on the trend, motives/causes and implications of wife-battering in Nigeria are largely speculative. The purpose of this article is to explore in a raw form, the socio-economic determinants of wife-battering, on the sub-areas of family violence. Methods: Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, a sample of 364 respondents comprising 196 males and 168 females was drawn from Anambra State, Nigeria. Multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques were used to reach the respondents. Questionnaire and in-depth interviews were instruments for data collection. Results: Findings confirmed that wife-battering in Ogbaru and Onitsha-North Local Government Areas is most often caused by denial of sex and infidelity. Conclusion: The policy implications calls for the creation of local government welfare units to be holding periodic talk shows for married couples on the imperative of living happily

Relevance of anomie theory on French revolution and its implication in Nigeria

The pervasive and reoccurring nature of anomie has plagued Nigeria for a while now thereby making a jest of the Nigerian society. Lawlessness, frustration, ethnic jingoism, unemployment and poverty among most Nigerians at the bottom of the economic ladder have become rife and provoked fear towards better stable Nigeria. This paper examinedthese core issues of the anomic restiveness, agitation, attacks and counter attacks ranging from diverse regions and localities in Nigeria. The study adopted documentary sources of data collection such as textbooks, journals, magazines and newspaper publications anchored on anomie theory. This paper contended that every facet of our national life has drifted into a state of lawlessness or a state of normlessness as people are becoming disappointed with the Nigerian project. Also, the paper recommended the need for policy makers to provide such an environment and conditions which are conducive for entrepreneurial activities which will first reduce the incidence of unemployment to a great extent and as such would have dealt a massive blow to the problem of criminality and lawlessness.Keywords: Anomie, Anomie theory, Deviance, French revolution, Normlessnes

Religious Fanaticism and Changing Patterns of Violent Crime in Nigeria

Fanaticism has brewed into different forms in the Nigerian context – and the gravest is religious fanaticism. It has taken hold of most clans, religions, and ethnic groups across Nigeria. Religion has always existed in Nigerian societies and also has fanaticism but the level of violence precipitated by this fanaticism is apparently unprecedented. This paper journeys into the beginning of religious fanaticism in Nigeria and its changing patterns of violence. It highlights the root causes of religious violence in Nigeria and visible patterns in this violence. The paper adopted structural-functionalism theoretical formation and gathered data from textbooks, e-books, journals, online articles, newspapers, and magazines. At the end, the paper recommends that Nigerian governments initiate comprehensive programs to reconcile the religious differences that have evolved over time between Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religions

Special Courts as Nigerian Criminal Justice Response to the Plight of Awaiting Trial Inmates in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This study looks at how using special courts can provide succor to the plight of awaiting trial inmates in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. The study adopted quantitative and qualitative research methods, with a sample of 1,498 respondents comprising 617 police officers, 623 awaiting-trial inmates, 113 court staff, and 145 prison officers drawn from Ebonyi State. Purposive and Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to reach the respondents. The quantitative data was descriptively analyzed using percentages and charts, while a thematic method of analysis was employed in the qualitative data. The findings revealed that, while there has been an uptick in awaiting trial problems, there is no meaningful provision to address them, despite the existence of provisions within the Nigerian legal framework. The article calls for the creation of special courts that are equipped to address peculiar crime cases in a more effective and faster manner. These courts are better poised to address the peculiarities of special cases and pass better and faster judgments