Urban Crime and Policing Approaches in Nigeria

Abstract

This article examined the nexus between urban crime and policing approaches in Nigeria. It looked at the reality of urban crime situation and posits that there are a number of obstacles severing crime policing in Nigerian urban centres. Using secondary sources, study found staggered law enforcement efforts, declining family values, fear, and ignorance as obstacles leading to urban crimes in Nigeria. The Routine Activity Approach of crime was adopted in the analysis of identified variables and their consequences within the context of the Nigerian State. In bridging this gap, the study recommends that city residents should restrain from carrying or carelessly displaying objects precipitating to crime in their neighborhoods; government should recruit more hands into the law enforcement agencies so that patrols are extended to all nooks and crannies of the city centres. there is need for individual security consciousness as well as system strengthening enhancement as measures to overcoming the situation.