Agency banking business and operators’ risk of exposure to criminal victimisation in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the growing popularity of the agency banking business in Nigeria, a major problem confronting its operators is criminal victimisation. Thus, this study examined the risk of exposure of agency banking operators in Ibadan city to criminal attacks. Routine activity theory was deployed as the conceptual framework. Data were elicited from 11 operators of the business who were victims of criminal attacks and 20 of their counterparts who were yet to be victimised, using key informant and in-depth interview methods. Results showed that operators of agency banking business were being targeted by lone criminals and gangs of criminals using violent and non-violent tactics. Scamming through fake SMS credit/debit transaction alerts was the most common type of criminal victimisation suffered by people involved in the business. A combination of factors was responsible for their vocational-related victimisation. It is imperative for operators of agency banking business to invest in physical security appliances, such as CCTV surveillance system, protective barriers, and alarm devices.