Effect of Ethno-Religious Conflicts on The Upsurge of Violent Crimes in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate Ethno-Religious Conflicts and Upsurge of Violent Crimes in Taraba State, Nigeria. The study made use of a cross-sectional research design. Data were collected from a randomly selected sub-set of Taraba state adult population (1,283,817). From the three senatorial districts of the state (Northern, Central, and Southern), two (2) Local Government Areas were purposively selected, being the areas with a history of intense ethno-religious conflicts were included in the study. The sample size was 1110, drawn using a mixed multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics like frequencies/percentages tables and charts were employed in interpreting the data, while chi-square and Pearson’s correlation analysis were used in analyzing the research hypotheses. A hierarchical multiple regression model was employed to predict socio-demographic factors associated with perceived nexus between ethno-religious conflicts and violent crimes. The study found out among others, a high perceived role of arms proliferation during ethno-religious conflicts in the growing incidence of violent crime (90.1%). The Paper among other recommendations recommended for proactive security measures to be employed to ensure that ethnic militias are not allowed to bear firearms and light weapons. They should embark on disarmament and mopping up of weapons.