THE IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

1.1 Introduction

Unemployment is a social as well as economic issues which every nation deals with regularly but differently. In fact, the classical economists averred that there can never be a situation of total employment in any economy (Ogunyomi & Oginni, 2013). However, situation in Nigeria has assumed an unimaginable proportion. Statistics shows that almost 75% of those who are able and willing to work, cannot find gainful employment especially among the graduates/ school leavers. The situation has become very bad and appears to have defied any remedy. Furthermore, structural unemployment is the type of unemployment occurs when there is a change in the structure of an industry or the economic activities of the country. This type of unemployment is due to the deficiency of capital resources in relation to their demand.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Crime is one major problem, and a burning issue in which every society particularly a developing one is faced with. Nigeria as a developing country faces her own share of social, political, economic and cultural problems at different regions which have in no small measure affected the well-being of the populace. One major cause universally agreed is the rising or increasing nature of unemployment.

It is commonly observed for most countries that unemployment and crime rates are positively correlated, but it is much more unclear whether the relationship means that unemployment causes crime, crime causes unemployment, or other factors cause either or both. In other words, the sign of the correlation is clear but the direction of the causality is not. One direction of the causality, unemployment affects crime, has received wide attention in the literature, but the reverse one has been largely neglected (Calro - Armengo and Yves Zenous, 2003).

Government the world over try to curb crime rates and if possible, eradicate crime. Similarly, unemployment, an economic disease, is a problem which government tries to reduce. It is noteworthy that wherever there is unemployment, especially at a high rate, there is a tendency for crime rate to increase dramatically this is because people are easily lured or compelled to criminal tendencies in the face of frustrations, poverty and loss of hope in earning a decent living (Egunjobi, 2003).

According to Becker’s economic theory of crime, unemployed people are deprived of legal income and thus, they tend to derive some income from illegal activities. Many models of crime suggest that the unemployed and individuals with low wages face strong urge to commit crime.

The Niger Delta region particularly Cross River State is severely hit by criminal activities and unemployment despite the abundant human and natural resources available in the region, a situation World Bank describes as unemployment in the midst of plenty (World Bank, 1996). The Niger Delta region which comprises seven states; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Rivers and Ondo, has a huge oil and gas deposits which currently amount for more than 80% of the nation's crude extraction and more than 70% of revenue to service the nation's economy. The region is blessed with vast and huge natural resources which contribute to about 80% of the nation's budget and about 70% of her GDP. Despite these huge potentials, the region is littered with unemployed youths as Eboh (2009) states that about 60% of Niger Delta youths unemployed.

The rise in criminal activities among youths in the Niger Delta region has been fuelled by extreme poverty and underdevelopment, discontent with the international oil companies, oil spillage, environmental damage and corruption by government officials which ensure little development reaches the host communities. Unemployment on the other hand is evident in the Niger Delta as Eboh (2009) opined that over 60% of the youths in the region are unemployed. The streets are littered with youth hawkers who ordinarily would have found gainful employment in some enterprises (Okafor, 2011).

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Impact of Unemployment on Criminal Activities.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that the arm insurgency in the region traces its roots to a perceived sense of neglects by both oil companies and national government. Despite its strategic and economic significance, human development indices for the Niger Delta region are starkly behind national averages.

In a bid to harnessing, controlling and utilizing the resources of the regions to benefits the indigenes, the youths, young adults and even a good number of child have resolved to restive measures which have been evident in political thuggery, illegal oil bunkering, firearms business, kidnapping, piracy, militancy and other social vices which are dangers to the stability of democracy in Nigeria (Okafor, 2011).

Furthermore, the pollution resulting from oil and gas prospecting have affected indigenous sources of livelihood like fishing and brought home disease, malnutrition and high fatality rate beside serious environmental repercussion. Also, poverty remains endemic despite the billion flowing into the national coffers. Poverty however exacts and inevitable social toll, and for an impoverished people, crime is often and easy step from deprivation.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Impact of Unemployment on Criminal Activities in Cross River State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To ascertain whether unemployment affect criminal activities in Cross River State;
2. To find out if government reduce unemployment rate in the region with eventual reduction in criminal activities in the region;
3. To assess the relationship that exists between unemployment and poverty in Cross River State; and
4. To examine the extent in which unemployment rate impact on criminal activities in Cross River State.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• How can the vast natural resources of the Niger Delta region be managed to fully benefit the communities?
• How can the government reduce unemployment rate in the region with eventual reduction in criminal activities in the region?
• To what extent does unemployment affect criminal activities in Niger Delta region particularly Cross River State?
• What is the relationship that exists between unemployment and poverty in Cross River State?
• What is the extent in which unemployment rate impact on criminal activities in Cross River State?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypotheses One

• H0: There is no significant relationship between unemployment and poverty in Cross River State.
• H1: There is significant relationship between unemployment and poverty in Cross River State.

Hypotheses Two

• H0: Unemployment has no significant impact on criminal activities in Cross River State.
• H1: Unemployment has a significant impact on criminal activities in Cross River State.

1.7 Significance of Study

This study is significant as it will take an in-depth analysis into the root causes of the Niger Delta crisis as it investigates various criminal activities and their effect on the region. The finding of the study will prove an insight into what crimes are really committed on the region and also reveal what effect they have on the region.

Also, this study will contribute in no small way to the literature in this area of study. Finally, governments will through this work understand the basic problems retarding the growth of the region thus, proffer possible solutions.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Impact of Unemployment on Criminal Activities in Niger Delta region particularly Cross River State. The delimitation is made so as to enable the researcher focus the search light on Cross River State area of the Niger Delta region.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Crime: Crime is any unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority .The act is considered a criminal offence when it is not only harmful to the individuals but to the society or community such as rape, robbery, murder, theft, vandalism, kidnapping etc. Criminal offences are defined by criminal law of every country.

Unemployment: This is a situation in which those willing and able to work do not find any, at the prevailing wage rate.

Criminal Activities: Criminal activities are referred to as those activities that violate the law of the society and are punishable under the law.

Sustainable Development: This is described as that development that meets the needs and aspirations of the present generations without compromising the ability to meet the need of future generation.