FUWUKARI International Journal of Sociology and Development
Fuwukari International Journal of Sociology and Development (FUWIJSD) is a bi-annual, blind, peer-review journal of the Department of Sociology, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. FUWIJSD is committed to publishing articles that make significant contributions to the theoretical and empirical diversity of all areas of Sociology and Development.
A BROKEN WINDOWS ANALYSIS OF ROBBERY DYNAMICS IN WUKARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, TARABA STATE
Armed robbery has remained one of the most persistent security challenges confronting communities in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, with increasing incidents threatening lives, property, and socioeconomic activities. Despite various law enforcement interventions, robbery continues to thrive, suggesting the existence of underlying environmental and social conditions that facilitate criminal activities. This theoretical paper examined the dynamics of robbery in Wukari Local Government Area through the lens of Broken Windows Theory. Specifically, the paper sought to explain how physical disorder, weakened informal social control, poverty, youth unemployment, and the erosion of community cohesion contribute to the prevalence and persistence of robbery. Anchored on Broken Windows Theory as propounded by Wilson and Kelling, the paper argued that visible signs of neglect, environmental decay, and tolerance of minor forms of deviance create opportunities for more serious crimes such as armed robbery. Drawing on extant literature and documentary sources, the discussion revealed that deteriorating social and physical environments, coupled with ineffective community surveillance and inadequate policing, have reinforced criminal tendencies in the area. The paper concluded that robbery in Wukari is not merely a product of individual criminal disposition but also a manifestation of broader social disorganization and environmental neglect. It recommended the strengthening of community policing initiatives, improvement of urban infrastructure, prompt response to minor disorders, youth empowerment programmes, and enhanced collaboration between security agencies and local communities as essential measures for reducing robbery and promoting sustainable security in Wukari Local Government Area.
Broken Windows Theory; Disorder; Environmental Criminology; Neighbourhood Informal Social Control; Robbery Dynamics
THE ROLE OF SPECIALIZED CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING A RESILIENT HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE TO COMBAT DIGITAL CRIME IN NIGERIA
The Nigerian healthcare sector faces unprecedented cyberattacks threatening patient safety, with the human element remaining the primary attack vector despite evolving technical defenses. This study examines the role of specialized cybersecurity education in developing a resilient healthcare workforce to combat digital crime in Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 385 healthcare professionals across six tertiary hospitals – one from each geopolitical zone. The Workforce Resilience in Cybersecurity scale measured five dimensions: anticipation, coping, recovery, adaptation, and embedded practice. Findings revealed that specialized cybersecurity education significantly predicted workforce resilience (β = 0.34, p < 0.001), explaining 18% of the variance, with role-based and interactive training proving substantially more effective than generic annual awareness and passive approaches. Technical staff demonstrated the highest resilience, while clinical staff exhibited the lowest, highlighting the need for workflow-integrated training. Organizational support emerged as a critical moderating factor (ΔR² = 0.04, p = 0.008), amplifying the benefits of educational interventions. Key barriers included time constraints (67%), irrelevant content (52%), and inadequate infrastructure, with 43.4% lacking formal training. The study contributes to scholarship by empirically validating the application of human-centred security principles and workforce development theory in a low-resource healthcare context. For policy, it provides evidence-based recommendations emphasizing competency-based education, differentiated training, strengthened organizational support, and policies aligned with the Nigeria Data Protection Act to safeguard patient safety and national health security.
Cyber-security Education, Healthcare Workforce, Workforce Development, Digital Crime, Ransomware Prevention
BEYOND AWARENESS: MULTILEVEL DETERMINANTS OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR
Preventive health-seeking behaviour remains central to reducing the global burden of non-communicable diseases and strengthening health systems. However, despite widespread awareness of preventive measures, uptake of screening, monitoring, and lifestyle-based interventions remains inconsistent across populations. This review addresses the problem of the persistent gap between awareness and action in preventive health behaviour. The objective is to synthesise empirical and theoretical evidence on multilevel determinants and explain why knowledge does not consistently translate into sustained preventive practices. The study is guided by the Health Belief Model, Andersen’s Behavioural Model of Health Services Use, and the Social Ecological Model. A narrative review design was adopted, drawing on peer-reviewed literature published between 2020 and 2025 and analysed using thematic synthesis. Findings indicate that preventive health-seeking behaviour is shaped by cognitive, socio-economic, cultural, institutional, and structural determinants operating across multiple levels. While perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy influence motivation, enabling resources such as income, insurance coverage, and service availability determine actual utilisation. Organisational pressures, cultural expectations, and health system limitations further constrain engagement. The review concludes that preventive behaviour is structurally conditioned rather than purely individual. It recommends integrated interventions combining health education, systemic reform, workplace health support, and strengthened health service delivery to improve sustained preventive engagement.
Preventive health-seeking behaviour, health service utilisation, non-communicable diseases, multilevel determinants, health systems
LOW AWARENESS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE REPORTING CHANNELS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY GASHUA
Sexual violence remains a persistent challenge in higher education globally, with serious psychological, academic, and social consequences. In Nigeria, many incidents go unreported due to stigma, fear of retaliation, and limited awareness of reporting mechanisms. This study examined awareness of sexual violence reporting mechanisms among students of the Federal University Gashua, Northeast Nigeria. The study is grounded in Routine Activity Theory, which conceptualises student awareness as a form of capable guardianship, and Institutional Theory, which examines the decoupling of formal university policies from actual student experiences. A mixed-method design was employed, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative responses collected electronically using KoboCollect. Undergraduate students were selected through voluntary sampling. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used for data analysis. Findings indicate extremely low awareness of reporting mechanisms. Less than 1% of respondents reported knowledge of any hotline or formal reporting channel, while 99.2% were unaware. Respondents who indicated awareness could not provide specific details. This suggests significant institutional communication gaps and limited access to support systems. Strengthening awareness and accessibility of reporting mechanisms is critical. Universities should integrate digital reporting platforms and confidential hotlines with sustained sensitisation strategies to improve reporting, institutional response, and student safety.
sexual violence, reporting mechanisms, university students, digital reporting, campus safety
HARMFUL WIDOWHOOD PRACTICES AND MATERNAL HEALTH OUTCOMES AMONG WOMEN IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA: A MEDICAL SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
Widowhood rites in south-eastern Nigeria are deeply embedded in patriarchal cultural systems and continue to pose documented threats to the health and well-being of bereaved women. Despite growing scholarly interest in cultural determinants of maternal health, few studies have examined the intersection of these practices with adverse maternal health outcomes using a sociological framework. This paper examines the nature, scope, and health consequences of harmful widowhood practices among women in south-eastern Nigeria, with specific attention to their implications for maternal morbidity, psychological health, nutritional status, and access to reproductive healthcare. The work relied on empirical literature, historical information and data from public health records. A critical medical sociological lens, informed by feminist theory and the social determinants of health framework, is applied to interrogate how cultural practices mediate health disparities among widowed women in the region. Findings reveal that widowhood rites, including prolonged confinement, dietary restrictions, forced sexual cleansing, shaving of the head, and denial of inheritance, carry measurable physical and psychological health consequences. These practices are significantly associated with nutritional deficiencies, elevated rates of depression and post-traumatic stress, increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, and disrupted access to antenatal and postnatal care among women who are pregnant or in the postpartum period at the time of bereavement. The paper argues that harmful widowhood practices constitute a form of structural violence against women and calls for culturally sensitive policy interventions, community-level advocacy, and integration of sociocultural assessments into maternal health programming in south-eastern Nigeria.
Widowhood Practices, Maternal Health, Structural Violence, Reproductive health
PSYCHOSOCIAL PREDICTORS OF FEAR OF MARRIAGE AMONG SINGLE YOUNG MEN IN WUKARI (GAMOPHOBIA)
This study was carried out to determine some social predictors of fear of marriage involvement among unmarried young men in Wukari, Taraba State. To achieve this aim, three specific objectives were formulated and transformed into three research questions and three corresponding hypotheses. Consequently, correlational design was adopted and two instruments titled Gamophobic Behavior Inventory (GBI) and Psychosocial Variable Questionnaire (PVQ) which were well validated and had reliability coefficients of 0.76 and 0.86, respectively, through Cronbach Alpha. The sample of the study included 261 unmarried young men from age 25-35 carefully identified for the study. Both research questions and hypotheses, predictive relationship of the variables was the focus, simple regression statistic and analysis of variance (ANOVA) associated with it were used to answer the research questions and test the tenability of the stated null hypotheses, respectively, at a 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study revealed that two out of the three variables significantly predicted gamophobia among unmarried young men. The variables were masturbation (p=.009<.05) and parental marital background (p=.000<.05). On the other hand, mate selection preference (p=.793>.05) was not a significant predictor of gamophobia in the study. Based on these findings, it was recommended, among others, that in the area of marriage, premarital counselling and counsellors should be made available to resolve marriage fear. This is because many other things influence love. Young men should be taught to resist factors such as masturbation, parental marital background, etc. to avoid a phobia of marriage (gamophobia).
Mate selection preference, Parental marital background, Gamophobia Masturbation.
THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY VIGILANTE GROUPS IN CURBING KIDNAPPING IN SOUTHERN TARABA SENATORIAL DISTRICT
Kidnapping has emerged as one of the most persistent security challenges in contemporary Nigeria, with the Southern Senatorial District of Taraba State experiencing a disturbing rise in incidents. This study evaluated the role of community vigilante groups in combating kidnapping in the study area. A cross-sectional survey design was used based on Broken Window Theory and Routine Activity Theory. A sample size of 410 respondents was selected from vigilante groups in Wukari, Takum and Ibi Local Government Areas using the Cochran formula with stratified random sampling. A mixed methods approach was used: structured questionnaires (5‑point Likert scale) and key informant interviews of five vigilante leaders. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS to calculate mean scores, standard deviations, and ordinal logistic regression at p<0.05. The findings show that vigilante groups play important roles, community policing (Mean=3.46, SD=1.42), neighbourhood watch (Mean=3.44, SD=1.41), crime prevention through patrolling (Mean=3.24, SD=1.47), and emergency response (Mean=3.20, SD=1.47). Ordinal logistic regression found a statistically significant positive association between vigilante roles and perceptions of community security (p<0.05, Odds Ratio=2.12). However, 57% of respondents said their security was not fully guaranteed, even with vigilante presence, indicating a key effectiveness gap. Vigilante groups are facing challenges of inadequate funding (Mean=3.34, SD=1.45), lack of formal training (Mean=3.34, SD=1.40) and inadequate government support (Mean=3.62, SD=1.57). The study concludes that although vigilante groups are important actors in preventing kidnapping, their potential is severely limited by resource constraints and weak institutional integration. Recommendations include formalisation of vigilante groups, sustained funding, capacity building programmes, and enhanced collaboration with state security agencies.
Vigilante groups, Kidnapping, Community Security, Broken window theory, Routine activity theory
BALANCED DIETARY INTAKE AND PREGNANCY OUTCOMES AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN SOUTHERN TARABA SENATORIAL DISTRICT
Poor maternal nutrition continues to contribute significantly to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm delivery, and maternal complications, particularly in low-resource settings. Despite the known benefits of adequate nutrition, many pregnant women still do not maintain a balanced diet due to socioeconomic, cultural, and behavioural constraints. This study examined the influence and effect of balanced diet on pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women. The study was guided by the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Social-Ecological Model (SEM). SCT explains how personal factors such as knowledge, self-efficacy, and observational learning influence dietary behaviour, while SEM emphasizes the role of multiple levels of influence including individual, interpersonal, community, and institutional factors on maternal dietary practices. The objectives were to assess the influence of balanced diet on positive pregnancy outcomes and determine its effect on pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women. A descriptive survey design was adopted. A sample of 1,113 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics was selected using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test at 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that pregnant women who consistently practiced balanced dietary intake were more likely to experience positive pregnancy outcomes such as normal birth weight, full-term delivery, and reduced complications. A significant relationship was found between balanced diet and pregnancy outcomes (p < 0.05). However, influencing factors included low income, inadequate nutritional knowledge, cultural food restrictions, and limited family support. The study concluded that balanced diet significantly influences positive pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women. It was recommended that healthcare providers strengthen nutritional counselling during antenatal care, while government and community stakeholders should implement multi-level nutrition intervention programmes.
Balanced diet, pregnancy outcomes, Social Cognitive Theory, Social-Ecological Model, maternal nutrition, antenatal care, pregnant women.
INFLUENCE OF ORGANISATIONAL SPIRITUALITY ON WORKPLACE DEVIANT BEHAVIOURS AMONG POLICE OFFICERS IN KWARA STATE POLICE COMMAND
Police deviant behaviour remains a major challenge to effective policing and public trust in Nigeria, with persistent cases of extortion, abuse of authority, unlawful arrests, and professional misconduct. Although organisational spirituality has been widely acknowledged as a potential ethical resource for improving workplace behaviour, its empirical relevance in Nigerian policing remains underexplored. This study therefore examined the effect of organisational spirituality on deviant work behaviours among police officers in the Kwara State Police Command, with the objective of filling this observable empirical and contextual gap. The study was anchored in Person–Organisation Fit (P–O Fit) Theory and social control theory. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire administered to 815 police officers, of whom 807 provided valid responses. Organisational spirituality and deviant work behaviours were measured using Likert-scaled items. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis were employed to analyse the data at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that officers reported moderate levels of personal and group-based meaning in work, but low levels of leadership-driven organisational spirituality. High prevalence of deviant behaviours such as extortion, verbal abuse, unlawful arrests, intimidation, and misuse of official identity was recorded. Regression results revealed that organisational spirituality had a negative but statistically insignificant effect on deviant work behaviour (β = –0.128, p = 0.100), accounting for only 1.6% of the variance (R² = 0.016). This indicates that organisational spirituality, in its current form, is a weak predictor of police deviance in the study area. The study concludes that although organisational spirituality holds ethical potential, it remains insufficiently institutionalised to significantly influence police behaviour. It recommends a leadership-driven ethical environment, strengthened accountability mechanisms, and the formal integration of spirituality into police organisational culture.
Deviant; Work Behaviour, Organisational Spirituality; Police, Kwara State.
ETHNO-RELIGIOUS POLARISATION AND PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE IN TARABA SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF TARABA STATE, NIGERIA
Ethno-religious polarisation constitutes a major factor undermining peaceful coexistence in Taraba South Senatorial District of Taraba State. This form of polarisation often generates social contradiction, mistrust, and recurrent conflicts among different ethnic and religious groups, thereby weakening intergruop relations and hindering sustainable coexistence within the region. This study aim at investigating the effects of ethnic and religious polarisation on peaceful coexistence in the study area. Theoretically, the study is anchored on Social Identity Theory, which posits that belonging to social groups (e.g. religious, ethnic, political, economic or occupational groups) serves an important basis for one’s identity. Methodologically, the paper is an opinion paper. It is based on desk-review using secondary sources from text-books, journal articles, newspapers, magazines, internet materials etc. The criteria for selecting materials are, they should relate to ethnic and religious conflict and ethnic and religious polarisation and they should be published between 2015 and 2026. The study finds that many human societies are heterogeneous in nature, housing people with differing ethno-religious background. This difference creates contradictions which seemingly manifest in form of polarisation, ethnic and religious sentiments and communal conflicts. The findings also indicated that polarisation in Taraba Southa is linked to the recurrent ethno-religious and communal conflicts bedeviling the area. It is concluded that polarisation is a significant obstacle to peaceful coexistence in the area. To address the problem of ethno-religious polarisation and its attendant violent inter-group conflict, the study recommends that government should make policy that will ensure equitable and fair distribution of resources; leaders of the religious groups should condemn extremism and promote inclusive and respectful discourse; there is need for religious bodies to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding through regular interfaith meetings and discussions to foster mutual understanding and respect.
Conflict, Ethnic, Peaceful Coexistence, Polarisation, Religion
THE IMPACT OF THE N-POWER PROGRAMME ON POVERTY REDUCTION IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA
This study examined the impact of the N-Power Programme on poverty reduction among youths in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: assess the programme's effect on skills acquisition and income improvement; evaluate its contribution to livelihood sustainability; and identify implementation challenges affecting its effectiveness. The study was anchored on social investment and social contract theories. A descriptive survey research design was employed, with primary data collected from 352 N-Power beneficiaries selected through a multi-stage sampling technique comprising purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling from four local government areas. Instrument validity was established through expert review, and reliability yielded a Cronbach's alpha of 0.87. Findings revealed that N-Power contributed positively to poverty reduction through enhanced technical skills (mean = 3.24, SD = 0.67), improved household income (mean = 3.13, SD = 0.75), and better living standards (mean = 3.14, SD = 0.77). Participation was highest in N-Power Teach (83.8%). Significant challenges included irregular stipend payments (mean = 3.29, SD = 0.68), corruption (mean = 3.08, SD = 0.79), and weak post-exit support (mean = 2.81, SD = 0.85). A Spearman's correlation confirmed a significant positive relationship between participation duration and income improvement (rho = 0.412, p < 0.05). The study concludes that while N-Power has generated short-term poverty reduction gains, its long-term effectiveness depends on addressing governance deficits and strengthening transition mechanisms. Recommendations include automated stipend payment systems, expanded N-Exit partnerships with the private sector, and enhanced monitoring frameworks.
N-Power Programme; Poverty Reduction; Youth Empowerment; Social Investment; Bauchi State
INFLUENCE OF INFORMAL SECURITY ACTORS ON LOCAL SAFETY OUTCOMES: A STUDY OF VIGILANTE GROUPS AND CRIME CONTROL IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA
This study examined the influence of informal security actors on local safety outcomes, with particular focus on the role of vigilante groups in crime control in North-Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted to collect quantitative data from participants at a single point in time. The population consisted of all informal security actors in North-Central Nigeria, and a minimum sample size of 384 was determined using Cochran’s formula, with purposive sampling employed to select active participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics, while Spearman’s rank-order correlation was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that informal security actors have a moderate positive and significant relationship with local safety outcomes (rho = 0.469, p = 0.000) and that vigilante groups have a moderate positive and significant relationship with crime control (rho = 0.478, p = 0.000). In conclusion, informal security actors contribute meaningfully to crime reduction in local communities. Therefore, the leadership of vigilante groups should collaborate more closely with the Nigerian Police Force and other formal security agencies to expand organized patrols, intelligence gathering, and crime monitoring.
Informal Security Actors, Local Safety Outcomes, Vigilante Groups, Crime Control, North-Central Nigeria
WEALTH FLAUNTING AND VULNERABILITY TO CRIME IN BENUE STATE
The study was conducted to assess the influence of wealth flaunting on the vulnerability of the people of Benue State to crime. It is believed that criminals will be less successful with criminal attempts if the people are less susceptible. In light of this, the study posits that certain lifestyles lived by people, like wealth flaunting, significantly predisposes them to crime. Studies in this regard have always established the relationship but not the extent of the relationship. The study pursued a major objective which was to ‘examine the extent to which wealth flaunting influences vulnerability of people to crime in Benue State’. The study hypothesises that “wealth flaunting has no significant influence on the vulnerability of people to crime in Benue State”. To achieve this, the correlational survey research design was adopted as the plan for the study, following which the Yamane (1967) formula for determination of sample size for small and known populations was used to arrive at 400 respondents. The findings show that wealth flaunting may be unhealthy for personal security as it reveals so much about us to intending criminals and makes us become targets for victimisation. The study specifically finds that 60.5% of people who flaunt wealth believed that their victimisations can be linked to their behaviour. A test of hypothesis shows that 42.7% of people who flaunt wealth either in physical or cyber space are likely to become victims of crime. The study then concludes that wealth flaunting is a risky lifestyle that extends an invitation to criminals. As a result, individuals then have a role to play in improving their own security by checking their attitude of public display of wealth, and the government also has a role to play in educating the public to understand the role of wealth flaunting in the vulnerability of people to crime.
Wealth flaunting, Vulnerability, Crime, Lifestyle exposure, and Victims of crime.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURE: ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN UZO-UWANI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
Climate change is regarded as one of the most significant threats to national security, exerting profound impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, public health, energy systems, agriculture and natural resources. These effects are especially noticeable in developing nations where the majority of people rely on agriculture for food, economy and source of livelihood. Hence the need to examine the effects of climate change on agricultural production and suggest adaptation strategies for the study area. The research employed a mixed-methods design with 150 respondents as a sample. Using basic random (balloting) sampling techniques, five of the sixteen communities in the study area were chosen. Five farmers with at least five years of agricultural experience from five chosen villages in the study area were purposively selected and interviewed along with few key informants. The data were analyzed using IBM’s Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20 while in-depth interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically using Nvivo 26. Results revealed that majority of the respondents are young adults, particularly in the 25-34 age range. The results also revealed climate change as the major factor affecting agricultural productivity in the study area. The findings show that farmers in the study area were highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change with about 83.7% of the farmers being directly affected because they depend on rain-fed agriculture. The findings further indicate a rising level of poverty in the area, with about 54% of the farmers attributing this trend to the impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity. The study found that agricultural productivity has declined as a result of climate change impacts, evident is seen in reduced rainfall, delayed onset of rains, rising temperatures, reduction in soil fertility and prolonged dry season. Consequently, this decline in agricultural productivity in the study area has compelled many farmers to diversify their livelihoods and income by engaging in secondary occupations such as trading. The study concludes that climate change has reduced agricultural productivity in Uzo-Uwani LGA thereby worsening poverty and forcing farmers into supplementary occupations. Traditional adaptation measures such as adjusting planting dates, crop diversification and mixed cropping etc and relying in indigenous knowledge provide some coping capacity but remain insufficient. It is therefore recommended that modern adaptation strategies like climate-smart agriculture, small-scale irrigation, drought-tolerant crops and supportive policy frameworks be implemented to strengthen resilience and ensure sustainable rural livelihoods.
Climate Change, Agriculture, Adaptation Strategies and Sustainable Development
ECONOMIC AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT ON THE SOCIAL WELLBEING OF WOMEN IN IDP CAMPS IN GUMA LGA, BENUE STATE
Globally, there is continuous increase in forceful displacement of persons with corresponding effect on the social well-being. In Nigeria, internal displacement is on the increase and many of the IDPs who live in camps are women, a vulnerable group in the population whose social wellbeing is ultimately under threat. To uncover some of the implications of internal displacement, this study examined implication of internal displacement on the social wellbeing of women in Guma Local Government Area of, Benue State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: examine economic implication of internal displacement, health implication of internal displacement, of women in Guma LGA, Benue State. Social integration theory were adopted in the study. The study utilised cross-sectional survey design with Guma Local Government Area as the study area. The population of the study was internally displaced women who were 18 years and above, living in camps in Guma Local Government Area. The sample size determination formula by Cochran was used to arrive at a sample size of 384. The study utilised multi-stage sampling procedure. Questionnaire and Key Informant Interview (KII) were used to collect data. The data were analysed using descriptive, inferential as well as content analyses techniques. Findings of the study revealed that economic implications of internal displacement included loss of farm ownership loss of job, reduction in income, increase in dependency ratio among others influenced the social wellbeing of women in the area. Additionally, it was found that internally displaced women ate food that were unhygienic, there was also indication for lack of clean water, and the environment not fumigated thereby giving rise to mosquito bites and subsequent malaria significantly affected the social wellbeing of women in camps in Guma Local Government Area. The study concluded that internal displacement including economic, health, and nutritional implications have significant influence on the social wellbeing of women in Guma Local Government Area. The study recommended a comprehensive assessment in camps in the study area. The government should start by conducting a thorough needs assessment in the camps to understand the specific economic challenges faced by internally displaced women in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State. This will help to improve the social wellbeing of internally displaced women in the study area.
Women; Social Well-being; Internal Displaced Persons; Economy; Health; Benue
NATURE AND IMPLICATIONS OF YOUTH STREET GANG ACTIVITIES ON COMMUNITY SECURITY IN KANO METROPOLIS
This article examines the nature and implications of youth street-gang activities on community security in Kano Metropolis. It is drawn analysis upon social disorganization theory. The study adopted desk-review using existing literature in textbooks, journal articles, conference proceedings, newspapers, magazines, internet materials, etc. It is the findings of the study that these gangs (called Yan Daba) have evolved from informal social fraternities into semi-organised formations engaging in_activities like armed robbery, systematic extortion, political thuggery ('Yan jagaliya), drug trafficking and distribution through bush bar networks, during electoral cycles, inter-gang territorial violence (fada clashes), sexual harassment and gender-based violence, and infrastructure vandalism., It also found that gang activities is embedded in the State's political economy, because they are used by political elites who provide impunity and resources in exchange for electoral violence. The analysis demonstrates that gang formation is driven by structural conditions, such as chronic youth unemployment, poverty, rapid urbanisation, and institutional attenuation. The article reveals the high prevalence of gangs in Kano. Their implications for community security include: erosion of public safety and nocturnal curtailment of urban life; normalisation of violence and its intergenerational transmission; strain on law enforcement and erosion of institutional legitimacy; the contested monopoly of violence and fragmentation of governance, etc. The article concludes that the situation is destabilising Kano, the most populous city in northern Nigeria; and reproducing the conditions that render gang participation subjectively rational for successive youth cohorts. To mitigate violent youth gang activities, there should be economic inclusion strategies targeting gang-involved youth; urban governance reforms to rebuild collective efficacy and legitimate neighbourhood institutions; public health responses to substance abuse; political reforms to sever the gang-politics nexus; educational and social welfare investments.
Community security, implications, urban Kano, violence, youth street gangs.
COMMUNITY BASED RESPONSES TO DRUG ABUSE AND CRIME IN JOS BUKURU METROPOLIS, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
This study examined community-based responses to drug abuse and crime in Jos-Bukuru metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. The problem addressed is the growing concern that drug abuse and drug-related crime persist in urban communities despite formal law enforcement interventions, while local preventive, control and rehabilitative efforts remain insufficiently documented. The specific objectives were to identify community-based preventive, control and rehabilitative strategies, assess their perceived effectiveness, examine the actors involved, identify major implementation constraints and propose measures for strengthening community-centred responses. The study was guided by Structural Functionalism and Routine Activities Theory. Structural Functionalism explains drug abuse and crime as outcomes of weakened social institutions, strained roles and inadequate regulation, while Routine Activities Theory explains crime through the convergence of motivated offenders, suitable targets and inadequate guardianship. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was adopted. Quantitative data were collected from 380 adult residents using a structured questionnaire, while qualitative data were obtained from 34 purposively selected community leaders, youth leaders, religious leaders and security stakeholders. Quantitative data were analysed using frequencies, percentages and chi-square, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Findings showed that awareness campaigns were the most common response strategy, reported by 79.5% of respondents. Collaboration with law enforcement was reported by 64.7%, neighbourhood vigilance by 57.4%, religious and moral counselling by 56.3%, and referral or rehabilitation support by 35.3%. Overall effectiveness was rated as moderate by 56.3% of respondents. Major constraints included unemployment, poverty, inadequate funding, stigma, fear of reprisal, weak coordination and limited access to rehabilitation services. The study concludes that community responses are necessary but require stronger institutional support, accountable community policing, accessible treatment services and socio-economic interventions for vulnerable youths.
AGE STRUCTURE AND VIOLENT CRIME:A DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF YOUTH VIOLENCE IN BENIN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
Youth violence in Nigeria has drawn sustained scholarly and policy attention amid persistent unemployment, widening economic precarity, and a marked youth bulge. Benin Metropolis, a cultural hub and migration corridor with a complex pattern of urbanization and crime, provides a particularly instructive context. This study examines how the age structure among young people aged 15-29 shapes the prevalence, pattern, and risk of violent crime in Benin Metropolis. Drawing on youth bulge, relative deprivation, social disorganization, and routine activity theories in an integrated analytical framework, the study develops an empirical strategy integrating secondary administrative records and a population-based youth survey to estimate age-structured patterns of violent offending and victimization. Drawing on data from the National Youth Policy, UNODC, and ACLED incident records for Edo State, the study synthesizes youth-weighted age structures, unemployment and school-to-work transitions, and neighborhood disorder as enabling conditions for violence. The study used multilevel modeling framework where individual-level factors are nested within neighborhood-level characteristics to explain variation in violent crime risk across localities of Benin Metropolis. To illustrate, the study incorporates descriptive evidence from extant studies on youth violence in Benin City and security incident statistics reported for Ede State. This study offers theoretically integrated model connecting age structure to violent crime; operational measurement plan for youth-centric risk and protective factors; an empirical design ready for field implementation in Benin Metropolis; and policy implications tailored to municipal and state agencies, emphasizing targeted employment and youth mediation programmes, among others. This provides a replicable template for Nigeria's cities where rapid demographic change intersects with urban insecurity. Youth is operationalized as persons aged 15-29; violent crime encompasses homicide, armed robbery, aggravated assault, sexual violence, and cult-related clashes; and the primary unit of analysis is individuals nested within neighborhoods.
AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION: NIGERIA'S CUSTODIAL EXEMPLAR FOR THE PERIPHERIES
Rising recidivism among ex-offenders implies dysfunctional custodial rehabilitation. This study examines how existing custodial rehabilitation norms predispose inmates to re-offence upon release in Nigeria. This article anchors its explanation of the problem on the combination of Thomas Kuhn's theory of revolution and the social farming theory. It used mixed methods to collect data from 284 inmate and non-inmate respondents. While quantitative data were analyzed at three levels, qualitative data were analyzed in terms of content and theme. Quantitative findings confirmed a significant positive relationship between inmates' custodial agricultural skills and re-offence in the study area (Exp ẞ.177, P value <.05). Qualitative findings acknowledged the failure of existing rehabilitative norms to reform inmates because they did not resonate with local realities. It concludes that a paradigm shift from a barren rehabilitative norm to a productive custodial agricultural rehabilitation is desirable. Until custodial rehabilitative desire incorporates agriculture into restorative and healing templates, corrections may develop irreconcilable internal contradictions that may hinder inmates' positive character modification for productive community reentry. The study, therefore, proposes four agriculture-based structures to harness the transformative potential of custodial agricultural rehabilitation, enabling inmates, upon release, to develop self-confidence, confront inertia, and build safer communities in Nigeria.
IRREGULAR TRANS-BORDER MOVEMENTS AND PERSONAL SECURITY IN KURMI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA STATE NIGERIA
This study investigates the impact of trans-border movements on personal security in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. With increasing security concerns arising from such movements, the research aims to identify effective measures to mitigate associated security challenges. The Broken Windows Theory serves as the theoretical framework, while a descriptive survey method was employed, involving 400 respondents from a population of 83,068. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were utilized, and data analysis was conducted using mean scores and standard deviation, along with hypotheses tested via multiple regression analysis. Findings indicate that trans-border movements pose security threats, including human trafficking, sexual assault, harassment, armed robbery, and kidnapping. To address these issues, measures such as forming vigilante groups, implementing community policing, and engaging international organizations in border security were identified. Recommendations also include the deployment of drones, installation of closed-circuit television cameras, fostering local community policing initiatives, and establishing collaborative measures with neighboring Cameroon to enhance personal security in the region.
ABUSE AGAINST WOMEN AND ITS EFFECTS ON FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IN SOUTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICT, TARABA STATE
This study focuses primarily on married women, as abuse within marital and intimate partner relationships has the most direct and sustained impact on family relationships. However, divorced and separated women with prior marital experience were also included to capture retrospective insights into how abuse affected family dynamics. The objectives were to identify the forms of abuse women experience and perception of abuse, determine its effects on family relationships, and examine coping strategies and community interventions. The study employed feminist theory. A descriptive survey design was adopted, involving 180 respondents selected through stratified sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews and analyzed through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings revealed that physical, emotional, and economic abuses are the most prevalent and are heavily influenced by cultural norms, economic dependency, and weak reporting systems. The analysis showed that abuse significantly destroys trust, communication, and cohesion within families, while children exposed to violence experience long-term emotional and behavioral problems. Coping strategies rely largely on extended family networks, traditional leaders, and informal women's groups, with limited government intervention. The study concludes that abuse against women remains a major threat to family stability and community wellbeing in Southern Taraba. It recommends stronger legal enforcement, increased awareness programs, economic empowerment for women, accessible counseling services, and collaborative community-based interventions to reduce abuse and strengthen family relationships.
POPULATION AGING IN LOW-AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES: HEALTH SYSTEM CHALLENGES, RESPONSES, AND PATHWAYS TO HEALTHY AGING
Population aging is accelerating rapidly in low and middle income countries (LMICs), where nearly 80% of the global population aged 60 years and above will reside by 2050. Unlike high-income countries that aged alongside sustained economic growth, many LMICs are experiencing "aging before getting rich" with limited fiscal and institutional preparedness. This narrative review synthesizes literature published between 2015 and 2025, drawing on peer-reviewed articles and institutional reports from PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, WHO, World Bank, and UN Population Division. Evidence shows that rapid fertility decline and rising life expectancy are reshaping population age structures across East Asia, Latin America, and increasingly sub-rising burden of non-Saharan Africa. These shifts coincide with Population Aging in Low and Middle lacome Countries: Health Syston Challenges, 147 Responses, and Pathways Healthy Aging communicable diseases, multi-morbidity, disability, and mental health conditions among older adults. However, health systems in many LMICS remain oriented toward acute and infectious diseases, creating gaps in chronic care, geriatric services, and long-term care provision. Structural challenges including weak primary health care, poverty, gender inequality, rural-urban disparities, migration, and dependence on informal caregiving further exacerbate later-life health inequities. Although initiatives such as the WHO's Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework offer promising reform pathways, implementation remains constrained by limited financing and institutional capacity. Population aging in LMICs represents both a major policy challenge and a strategic opportunity requiring strengthened primary care, expanded long-term care systems, and equity focused interventions.
DIGITAL SPORTS BETTING AND STUDENTS' ADDICTION: A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ITS IMPACT ON TUITION-FEE UTILIZATION AMONG SOCIOLOGY STUDENTS, TARABA STATE UNIVERSITY, JALINGO
Digital sports betting has expanded significantly globally, with growing participation among youths in African nations like Nigeria, where over one-third of its undergraduates engage in sports betting. This study investigates digital sports betting and students' addiction, focusing specifically on its impact on tuition-fee utilization among students of Taraba State University, Jalingo. The study relied on the explanatory strength of social learning theory. A survey design was adopted, with data collected from 268 respondents and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings reveal a high level of participation (grand mean = 3.12), with strong preferences for online betting (Mean = 3.34) and football betting (mean = 3.26). Results further show significant financial implications (grand mean 2.80), as students divert educational funds and experience financial stress. The study concludes that betting is prevalent among Taraba State University students, and it undermines financial stability and academic priorities. The study recommends that university management should institutionalize periodic financial literacy and responsible gambling awareness programmes within student orientation and general studies courses. In addition, the university should regulate and restrict on-campus promotion of betting services, while collaborating with student unions and campus organisations to promote alternative recreational and income-generating activities that reduce reliance on gambling.
Digital Sports Betting; Gambling Addiction; Tuition-Fee Utilization; Financial Stability; Undergraduate Students.
ROLES OF THE NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE ON BORDER SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN NIGERIA
Border protection is fundamental to state security and public safety. This study examines the role of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in border security and its impact on public safety in Nigeria. Using social systems theory and Marxist political economy theory, the study adopted a qualitative documentary research design and relied on secondary data analysed through description, comparison, and interpretation. Despite Nigeria's vast borders, spanning 4,332 kilometres of land and 3,000 kilometres of navigable waterways, the NCS regularly seizes contraband, including weapons, drugs, currencies, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, and other illicit goods, while arresting and prosecuting suspects nationwide. A key example is the 27 October 2010 seizure of 13 forty-foot containers of firearms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons atApapa Port, which led to the arrest of four suspects. The paper finds that these enforcement activities contribute to border security and public safety by reducing the circulation of dangerous goods capable of intensifying terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, violent crime, economic sabotage, and public health risks. The study also shows that the NCS supports legitimate trade while preventing illicit cross-border flows, thereby linking customs enforcement directly to national security and community safety. It concludes that the NCS plays a preventive security role that extends beyond revenue generation, especially in a border environment characterised by porous routes and transnational criminal networks. It recommends intensifying border patrols with modern geospatial and surveillance technologies, including GPS, drones, scanners, radar systems, and cargo-tracking devices, and constructing double-layer fencing in high-risk border corridors.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND HUMAN FLOURISHING IN NIGERIA: WHY SOCIAL STRUCTURE MATTERS IN HOW LONG AND HOW WELL WE LIVE
This paper examines the relationship between social structure and human flourishing in Nigeria, interrogating the dominant assumption that biological predisposition or individual agency alone determines human well-being and prosperity. The central problem addressed is the persistent pattern of poor life outcomes in Nigeria despite individual efforts, raising questions about the role of structural conditions such as weak institutions, unequal resource distribution, and systemic inefficiencies in shaping human development outcomes. Grounded in structural functionalism and informed by the structure versus agency debate in sociological theory, the paper conceptualizes social structure as the arrangement of institutions, policies, and cultural systems that both enable and constrain human action. It argues that key societal institutions particularly those governing security, health, education, and social welfare play a decisive role in determining the quality and longevity of life. Using a qualitative and secondary-data-based analytical approach, the paper draws on existing empirical studies and policy reports to assess Nigeria's structural conditions. Findings reveal that institutional decay, underfunded social sectors, insecurity, and weak welfare systems have significantly constrained human flourishing in the country. These structural deficits manifest in poor health indicators, declining educational outcomes, widespread poverty, and reduced life expectancy. The paper concludes that human flourishing in Nigeria is less a function of individual capability and more a product of structural inequalities embedded in governance and institutional arrangements. It therefore recommends comprehensive systemic reforms, including the strengthening of security architecture, improved investment in health and education, equitable redistribution of resources, and the institutionalisation of accountable governance mechanisms. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for enhanced civic participation, stronger civil society engagement. and collaborative partnerships between government, development agencies, and citizens to bridge existing structural gaps and promote sustainable human development.
REVENUE UTILIZATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES IN NIGERIA
Effective revenue utilization has been identified as critical for sustainable development outcomes. However, despite significant increases in public revenue from natural resources, taxation, loans, and remittances, Nigeria continues to experience persistent underdevelopment. The country faces considerable challenges in translating public resources into tangible social and economic outcomes. Through the lens of political economy theory, this paper examines the relationship between revenue utilization and sustainable development in Nigeria, with a focus on how public revenues are mobilized, allocated, and expended across key sectors such as education, health, infrastructure, and environmental protection. Data for the study were derived from secondary sources, including national and international development indicators. Findings reveal that the inability to achieve sustainable development goals in Nigeria is not primarily due to revenue scarcity but rather inefficient utilization of available resources. The study identifies weak accountability mechanisms, misalignment between budgetary priorities and long-term development goals, and governance deficits as key constraints. The findings further show that high revenue inflows coexist with persistent poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, underscoring the critical role of governance in shaping development outcomes. The paper concludes that improving transparency, strengthening public financial management systems, and promoting inclusive, development-oriented budgeting are essential for translating public revenues into sustainable development gains. It therefore recommends institutional reforms that directly link revenue utilization to social welfare, economic diversification, and environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
PUBLIC AWARENESS, UTILISATION AND SATISFACTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES IN CURBING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has been recognized as a social and public health problem that has necessitated agencies' intervention within the Criminal Justice System (CJS). Globally, many nations now respond to the menace of intimate partner violence by engaging the police and special courts' services through the enactment of laws prohibiting acts of physical, sexual, verbal, economic, and psychological violence. In 2014, Lagos State established within its police force the family support unit, which caters to cases of violence within intimate relationships. This move followed poor enforcement of the 2007 Lagos State Domestic Violence bill. Despite these provisions, Lagos State continues to report a high incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV). However, awareness of the mechanisms used by the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to address this violence is important for achieving the desired result. The objectives of the article include the identification of law enforcement strategies used in combating IPV; the awareness of the public on such strategies and the level of satisfaction derived by those who engaged Law enforcement in the report of IPV. Using the purposive sampling technique, 400 survey questionnaires were administered, and 383 were retrieved and analysed using univariate and bivariate procedures. The results revealed that the majority of respondents were aware of the police strategies being utilised, although satisfaction levels varied. The study concluded that challenges hindering the effective use of the police in IPV cases should be addressed, as the public is aware of their strategies. The study recommended that funds be made available, especially to stakeholder agencies, to further sensitise various groups within society.
PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS TO CRIME REPORTING AMONG VICTIMS: A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW
Victimization resulting from property or violent crime has significant psychological consequences that extend beyond the immediate physical impact of the offence. Victims often experience trauma, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which hinder their ability to engage effectively with the criminal justice system, particularly in reporting crimes. This study appraises the barriers to crime reporting among victims and examines how response and prevention mechanisms influence the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, while also analysing the psychological impact of these barriers. The study adopts a conceptual review approach, relying on secondary data and qualitative content analysis. Findings reveal that key psychological barriers to crime reporting include fear, shame, emotional trauma, and mistrust of law enforcement. Fear of retaliation, especially in cases of domestic violence and sexual assault, and the stigma associated with victimization significantly discourage reporting. Secondary victimization, where victims are blamed or disbelieved by authorities, further reinforces reluctance to report. Additionally, distrust of police, particularly in marginalized communities, contributes to underreporting. Psychological responses such as fear, anxiety, PTSD, and emotional numbing suppress disclosure, as victims often feel powerless or trapped in ongoing abuse. The study highlights interventions such as trauma-informed policing, anonymous reporting, and community policing as effective strategies for reducing these barriers. These approaches promote safer environments for victims and improve engagement with the justice system. Strengthening victim support services and institutional trust is essential for enhancing reporting and breaking the cycle of re-victimization. The study concludes that addressing crime underreporting requires an integrated approach that simultaneously tackles psychological barriers and strengthens institutional trust, thereby enhancing victims' access to justice and improving the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
Victimization, Psychological effects, Crime reporting, Trauma-informed policing and Victim advocacy
THE EMERGENCE OF BANDITRY IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA: TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN KWARA STATE
Banditry has become one of the most persistent security issues in the North Central region of Nigeria. However, limited attention has been given to Kwara State in academic analysis, whereas there is a clear sign of increased violence since 2017. This research focuses on the prevalence, temporal dynamics, geographical dispersion and causative factors of banditry in Kwara State between the years 2015 and 2023. It also explores the institutional security responses and identifies the lapses. Based on the Routine Activity Theory, the study used a mixed-methods design to combine the data of the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) database, the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), and interviews with eighteen key informants selected purposively. Results indicate a sharp increase in incidents of 2019, most of which occurred within the local government areas that border Kogi and Ekiti States. The most common typology of incidents is kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery and cattle rustling. The main factors responsible for this include competition for land and water resources, porous frontier areas, youth unemployment, and a lack of security institutions. The paper concludes by recommending that hunters' associations and vigilante networks need to be formalised through registration, basic training and empowerment at the community level. Furthermore, at the federal level, there should be a North Central Inter-State Security Coordination Council covering Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti, and Niger States.
Socio-Economic Status and Utilization to Healthcare in Nigeria
Nigeria and indeed African Countries as a whole attached great importance to improvement in socio-economic well-being of their citizens. The desire of successive governments in Nigeria towards the provision of quality healthcare services has not yielded positive results essentially due to socio-economic challenges, including a high rate of poverty and hunger, insufficient food production, unstable fiscal and economic policies, mismanagement of resources, large-scale corruption; and a worsening security situation, among others. There is a strong linkage between socio-economic challenges and the attainment of quality and sustainable healthcare delivery services, as well as general improvements in the living conditions of the Nigerian people. Improvement in people's health and living conditions can only be achieved through a significant reduction in poverty levels, sufficient and adequate food production, and the attainment of improved security of lives and properties, among other requirements. The Theory of Change was adopted as the theoretical model, while a descriptive research design was used for the study. Secondary data sourced from journal reviews, articles, books, and reports from international organisations and national policy documents related to socio-economic indices such as healthcare, poverty, and food insecurity were used, and content analysis was employed. Major findings indicated that a high rate of poverty and hunger, insufficient food production, large-scale corruption and worsening security situation were major factors responsible for the low quality and ineffective healthcare situation in Nigeria. The study concludes that significant reduction in poverty and hunger, sufficient and adequate food production, as well as appreciable reduction in corruption level, among others, will contribute to improvement in healthcare delivery services, while it recommends economic revitalisation and total overhauling of the country's security system as a panacea to achieve socio-economic development in Nigeria.