ANALYSIS OF REPORTED CASES OF CRIME IN SAPELE, DELTA STATE

ABSTRACT: The issue of crime causation has emerged as a significant global preoccupation. In contrast to industrialised or high-income nations, numerous developing countries have made little advancements in tackling this issue. There exist various strategies aimed at mitigating crime rates and diminishing the efficacy of tools employed by individuals engaged in criminal activities. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the strategies that might be employed to achieve this objective within the specific setting of the Sapele local government area in Delta state. The chi-square analysis yielded a statistically significant result (p < 0.05) indicating that unemployment is a significant contributing factor to crime in Sapele, Delta state. The chi-square analysis yielded a statistically significant result (p < 0.05) indicating that there is a significant association between the second variable, illiteracy, and the occurrence of crime in Sapele, Delta state. The chi-square analysis yielded a statistically significant result (p < 0.05) indicating that poverty is a significant contributing factor to crime in Sapele, Delta state. An analysis of reported crime cases spanning from 2008 to 2014 revealed a cumulative total of 2145 recorded incidents throughout this time frame. Consequently, the average annual occurrence of reported crimes was calculated to be 536.5. Based on the empirical evidence, it is advisable to propose recommendations aimed at mitigating the occurrence of criminal activities in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria.