Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T12:50:17.716Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Sociological Profiling of Armed Robbery Convicts in Kirikiri Female Prisons, Lagos, Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2020

Richard Abayomi Aborisade*
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Olabisi Onabanjo University
Similade Fortune Oni
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Olabisi Onabanjo University
*
*Corresponding Author: Richard Abayomi Aborisade, Department of Sociology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract

Increasing female involvement in violent crime is a concern in Nigeria; still, it is unclear what informs this sudden surge in a society that supposedly socializes feminine gender to be soft, caring, and compassionate. This article explores the sociological profiles of women involved in armed robbery, drawing case examples from 32 convicts in a Nigerian female penitentiary. It was found that women were made susceptible to deviance by some social factors such as familial variables, neighborhood characteristics, gender discrimination, neglect, and violence. Both primary and secondary social groups were found to be major facilitators in the initiation into crime, development of criminal career, entry into armed robbery, and maintenance of life as a robber. This article concludes that gender-based inequality in all social facets and the unfavorable socio-economic conditions in Nigeria increase the vulnerability of women to be recruited into criminality. A revival of the family institution, gender-neutral parenting, government’s intervention for improvement of socio-economic wellbeing, and gender education are suggested.

Abstracto

Abstracto

El aumento de la participación femenina en delitos violentos es una preocupación en Nigeria, sin embargo, no está claro qué informa este repentino aumento en una sociedad que supuestamente socializa el género femenino para que las mujeres sean suaves, cariñosas y compasivas. Este artículo explora los perfiles sociológicos de las mujeres involucradas en el robo a mano armada, dibujando ejemplos de 32 casos en una penitenciaría femenina nigeriana. Se encontró que las mujeres se volvieron susceptibles a la desviación por algunos factores sociales como variables familiares, características del vecindario, discriminación de género, negligencia y violencia. Se descubrió que los grupos sociales primarios y secundarios eran los principales facilitadores en la iniciación al delito, el desarrollo de la carrera criminal, el ingreso al robo a mano armada y el mantenimiento de la vida como ladrón. Este artículo concluye que la desigualdad basada en el género en todas las facetas sociales y las condiciones socioeconómicas desfavorables en Nigeria, aumentan la vulnerabilidad de las mujeres para ser reclutadas como delincuentes. Se sugiere un resurgimiento de la institución familiar, impulsar criar niños y niñas en un ambiente neutral con respecto al género, y la intervención del gobierno para mejorar el bienestar socioeconómico y la educación de género.

Abstrait

Abstrait

L’augmentation de l’implication des femmes dans les crimes violents est une préoccupation au Nigéria, mais on ne sait pas encore ce qui informe cette poussée soudaine dans une société qui soi-disant socialise le genre féminin pour être doux, attentionné et compatissant. Cet article explore les profils sociologiques des femmes impliquées dans des vols à main armée, en tirant des exemples de 32 cas dans un pénitencier pour femmes nigérianes. On constate que les femmes ont été rendues vulnérables à la déviance par certains facteurs sociaux tels que les variables familiales, les caractéristiques du quartier, la discrimination sexuelle, la négligence et la violence. Les groupes sociaux primaires et secondaires se sont avérés être des facilitateurs majeurs dans l’initiation au crime, le développement d’une carrière criminelle, l’entrée dans le vol à main armée et le maintien de la vie en tant que voleur. Cet article conclut que les inégalités fondées sur le sexe dans toutes les facettes sociales et les conditions socio-économiques défavorables au Nigéria augmentent la vulnérabilité des femmes à être recrutées dans la criminalité. Une relance de l’institution familiale, une parentalité non sexiste, l’intervention du gouvernement pour l’amélioration du bien-être socioéconomique et l’éducation en matière de genre sont suggérées.

抽象

抽象

在尼日利亚,越来越多的女性卷入暴力犯罪仍是一个令人担忧的问题,但是,目前尚不清楚是什么原因导致了这个社会的突然激增,该社会据称使女性性别变得柔和,关怀和富有同情心。本文探讨了参与武装抢劫的妇女的社会学特征,并从尼日利亚一名女性监狱中的32名罪犯中提取了一些案例。人们发现,由于一些社会因素,例如家庭变量,邻里特征,性别歧视,忽视和暴力,使妇女容易产生偏差。人们发现,初级和次级社会团体都是犯罪的主要推动者,犯罪职业的发展,武装抢劫的进入以及劫匪的维持生活。本文的结论是,尼日利亚所有社会方面的性别不平等和尼日利亚不利的社会经济状况,增加了妇女被招募入罪的脆弱性。建议复兴家庭机构,不分性别的育儿,政府为改善社会经济福祉而进行的干预以及性别教育。

نبذة مختصرة

نبذة مختصرة

إن زيادة مشاركة الإناث في الجرائم العنيفة أمر مثير للقلق في نيجيريا ، ومع ذلك ، من غير الواضح ما الذي يفيد هذه الطفرة المفاجئة في مجتمع يفترض أنه يتعامل مع الجنس الأنثوي ليكون لينًا ، عطوفًا ، عطوفًا. تستكشف هذه المقالة الملامح الاجتماعية للنساء المتورطات في السطو المسلح ، مستمدة أمثلة من 32 مدانة في سجن نيجيري. وجد أن المرأة أصبحت عرضة للانحراف عن طريق بعض العوامل الاجتماعية مثل المتغيرات العائلية ، وخصائص الأحياء ، والتمييز بين الجنسين ، والإهمال ، والعنف. تم العثور على كل من الفئات الاجتماعية الأولية والثانوية لتكون ميسرين رئيسيين في الشروع في الجريمة ، وتطوير الحياة المهنية الإجرامية ، والدخول في السطو المسلح ، والحفاظ على الحياة كسارق. تخلص هذه المقالة إلى أن عدم المساواة القائم على نوع الجنس في جميع الجوانب الاجتماعية والظروف الاجتماعية والاقتصادية غير المواتية في نيجيريا ، يزيد من ضعف النساء ليتم تجنيدهن في الجريمة. يقترح إحياء مؤسسة الأسرة ، والأبوة المحايدة جنسانيا ، وتدخل الحكومة لتحسين الرفاه الاجتماعي والاقتصادي ، والتعليم الجنساني

Type
Article
Copyright
© 2020 International Society of Criminology

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abdul-Rasheed, Suleiman, Yinusa, Muhammed, Abdullateef, Raji, Ganiyu, Olatunji A, and Abdulbaqi, S. 2016. “Gender Differentials in Criminal Behaviour in Nigeria.Journal of African Women Studies Centre 1(4):2436.Google Scholar
Aborisade, Richard. 2017. “Mass Media and the Cultivation of the Fear of Crime in Nigeria.Fountain Journal of Management and Social Sciences 6(1):7385.Google Scholar
Aborisade, Richard. 2018. “Unsolved Murders and the Investigative Failures of the Nigerian Police Force: Security and Sociopolitical Implications.African Security Review 27(2):177–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aborisade, Richard and Adedayo, Sunday. 2018. “Security and the 2063 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Africa: Whither Nigeria?African Research Review 12:2334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Adebakin, Moruf Akanni. 2016. “National Security Challenges and Sustainable Economic Development: Evidence from Nigeria.International Journal of Managerial Studies and Research 1(1):1020.Google Scholar
Aghatise, Esohe 2002. “Trafficking for Prostitution in Italy: Concept Paper.” Expert Group Meeting, November 18–22, 2002, UN Division of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), Division for the Advancement of Women, Glen Cove, New York, USA. Retrieved September 6, 2020 (https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/egm/trafficking2002/reports/EP-Aghatise.PDF).Google Scholar
Akers, Ronald. 1985. Deviant Behaviour: A Social Learning Approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.Google Scholar
Akers, Ronald. 1998. Social Learning and Social Structure. Boston, MA: Northeastern University Press.Google Scholar
Akers, Ronald and Sellers, Christine. 2004. Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application. Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury Publishing Company.Google Scholar
Allen, Michael. 2005. Textbook on Criminal Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Ameh, Sunday. 2013. “The Implications of the Upsurge of Female Criminality in Nigeria.International Journal of Advanced Legal Studies and Governance 4(2):7483.Google Scholar
Ayodeji, Dedeigbo and Mojeed-Sunni, Sulaimon. 2013. “Female Graduate Leads 7-Man Robbery Gang.” PM News, September 5, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2018 (https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2013/09/05/female-graduate-leads-7-man-robbery-gang/).Google Scholar
Banwell, Stacy. 2014. “Rape and Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Case Study of Gender-Based Violence.Journal of Gender Studies 23(1):176–85.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barry, Kathleen. 1979. Female Sexual Slavery. New York: New York University Press.Google Scholar
Braide, Ekanem. 2002. “Prostitution, Adultery and the Sexploitation of Nigeria Women by Nigerian Women. Benin City.” Retrieved May 12, 2017 (http//www.nigerdeltacongress.com).Google Scholar
Brownmiller, Susan. 1975. Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape. New York: Simon & Schuster.Google Scholar
Bursik, Robert and Grasmick, Harold. 1993. Neighborhoods and Crime. New York: Lexington.Google Scholar
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). 2002. Industrial Cooperation Program – Gender Profile: Nigeria. Ontario: CIDA.Google Scholar
CLEEN Foundation. 2013. Criminal Victimization and Fear of Crime in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Lagos: CLEEN Foundation.Google Scholar
Dachen, Isaac. 2017a. “Female Armed Robbery Gang Leader Arrested in Imo.” Pulse, June 21, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2018 (http://www.pulse.ng/gist/female-armed-robbery-gang-leader-arrested-in-imo-id6874595.html).Google Scholar
Dachen, Isaac. 2017b. “Notorious Female Armed Robbery Gang Leader Arrested in Ondo.” Pulse, March 1, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017 (http://www.pulse.ng/gist/notorious-female-armed-robbery-gang-leader-arrested-in-ondo-id6298960.html).Google Scholar
Daly, Kathleen and Chesney-Lind, Meda. 1988. “Feminism and Criminology.Justice Quarterly 5:497535.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dworkin, Andrea. 1997. Prostitution and Male Supremacy, Life and Death. New York: Free Press.Google Scholar
Ekpimah, Etim. 2017. “Police Arrest Two Female Armed Robbery Suspects in A’Ibom.” The Punch, April 22, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2018 (http://punchng.com/police-arrest-two-female-armed-robbery-suspects-in-aibom/).Google Scholar
Farley, Melissa. 2004. “Prostitution is Sexual Violence.” Psychiatric Times, October 1, 2004. Retrieved September 6, 2020 (https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/prostitution-sexual-violence).Google Scholar
Gabriel, Chioma. 2016. “Crimes of Recession? Rising Ritual Killings, Kidnapping, Armed Robbery.” Vanguard, August 21, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2018 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/crimes-of-recession/).Google Scholar
Griew, Edward. 1996. The Theft Acts 1968 and 1978. London: Sweet & Maxwell.Google Scholar
Ibrahim, Bello and Muktar, Jamilu. 2016. “Changing Pattern of Prostitution: An Assessment of Transnational Commercial Sex Work by Nigerian Women.European Scientific Journal 12(2):8195.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Igbuzor, Ifeanyi. 2017. “Peace and Security Education: A Critical Factor for Sustainable Peace and National Development.International Journal of Peace and Development Studies 14(2):21–7.Google Scholar
Jaggar, Allison and Rothenberg, Paula. 1984. Feminism Frameworks: Alternative Theoretical Accounts of the Relations Between Women and Men. New York: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
Krippendorff, Klaus. 2012. Content Analysis: An Introduction to its Methodology (3rd edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Google Scholar
Kruger, Mariana, Ndebele, Paul, and Horn, Lyn. 2014. Research Ethics in Africa: A Resource for Research Ethics Committees. Stellenbosch, South Africa: SUN MeDIA.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Siya, Kwabuggi, Haganagiwa, Kumur, and Kilba, Annah. 2017. “Gender Difference in Crime Involvement in Adamawa State, Nigeria.International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies 5(2):100–3.Google Scholar
LaFace, W. 2003. Substantive Criminal Law. Saint Paul, MN: West Group.Google Scholar
Lee, Jackie and Collins, Peter. 2010. “Construction of Gender: A Comparison of Australian and Hong Kong English Language Textbooks.Journal of Gender Studies 19(2):121–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lilly, James, Cullen, Francis, and Ball, Robert. 2007. Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences (4th edition). London: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Merton, Robert. 1968. Social Theory and Social Structure. Glencoe: Free Press.Google Scholar
Messerschmidt, James. 1993. Masculinities and Crime. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.Google Scholar
Moir, Anne and Jessel, David. 1997. A Mind to Crime: The Controversial Link between Mind and Criminal Behaviour. London: Signet.Google Scholar
National Bureau of Statistics. 2018. “2017 Statistical Report on Women and Men in Nigeria.” Retrieved September 6, 2020 (https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/download/784).Google Scholar
Obi, Tobias C., Barnabas, Nwankwo, Victor, Ohama, Solomon, Agu, and Sydney-Agbor, Ngozi. 2014. “Perceived Psychosocial Determinants of Female Criminality in South East Nigeria.American Journal of Applied Psychology 2(2):33–6.Google Scholar
Ogenyi, Esther. 2016. “All-Female Armed Robbery, Kidnapping Gang Nabbed by River State Police.” Daily Post, March 29, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2018 (http://dailypost.ng/2016/03/29/photonews-all-female-armed-robbery-kidnapping-gang-nabbed-by-river-state-police/).Google Scholar
Oladeji, Sunday and Folorunso, Benjamin. 2017. “The Imperative of National Security and Stability for Development Process in Contemporary Nigeria.African Economic and Business Review 5(2):110–19.Google Scholar
Olonisakin, Tosin, Ogunleye, Adedeji J., and Adebayo, Sulaiman O.. 2017. “The Nigeria Criminal Justice System and Its Effectiveness in Criminal Behaviour Control: A Social-Psychological Analysis.Journal of Humanities and Social Science 22(2):3348.Google Scholar
Oluwadare, Christopher and Agboola, Bayode. 2011. “Gender Disparity in Criminal Behaviour in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti.African Research Review 5(5):199211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Omoyibo, Kingsley and Akpomera, Eddy. 2016. “Insecurity Mantra: The Paradox of Nigerian Growth and Development.European Scientific Journal 15(6):132–42.Google Scholar
Onyeonoru, Ifeanyi. 2003. “Push Factors in Girl Trafficking for International Commercial Sex Work and the Gender Implications: A Study of Benin, Edo State.African Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies 1:118–39.Google Scholar
Oppenherm-Mason, Karen. 1994. “HIV Transmission and the Balance of Power Between Women and Men: A Global View.Health Transition Review 4:217–40.Google Scholar
Oppong, Christine and Wery, Rene. 1994. Women’s Roles and Demographic Change in Sub-Saharan Africa. Accra: IUSSP, Policy and Research Papers.Google Scholar
Rafter, Nicole Hahn and Heidensohn, Frances. 1995. International Feminist Perspectives in Criminological: Engendering a Discipline. Buckingham, UK: Open University Press.Google Scholar
Rennison, Callie Marie and Melde, Chris. 2013. “Gender and Robbery: A National Test.Deviant Behaviour 35(4):275–96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shacklady, Smith, Lesley. 1978. “Sexist Assumptions and Female Delinquency: An Empirical Investigation.” Pp. 141–64 in Women, Sexuality and Social Control, edited by Smart, C. and Smart, B.. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.Google Scholar
Shaw, Clifford and McKay, Henry. 1942. Juvenile Delinquency and Urban Areas. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Strapko, Noel, Hempel, Lynn, Macllroy, Kelsea, and Smith, Keith. 2016. “Gender Differences in Environmental Concern: Reevaluating Gender Socialization.Society & Natural Resources 29(9):1015–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
The Nation. 2015. “Nigeria and the Menace of Armed Robbery.” The Nation, September 20, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2018 (http://thenationonlineng.net/nigeria-and-the-menace-of-armed-robbery/).Google Scholar
Tierney, John. 2010. Criminology: Theory and Context (3rd edition). London: Pearson Education Limited.Google Scholar
Tobazuaye, Sandra. 2017. “Armed Robbery in Nigeria – A Trend Analysis.” Lagos: Bulwark Intelligence. Retrieved February 16, 2018 (http://bulwarkintelligence.com/reports/crime/armed-robbery-nigeria-trend-analysis/).Google Scholar
UNICEF. 2015. “Quality Basic Education in Nigeria – The Situation.” Unicef Nigeria. Retrieved April 11, 2018 (https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/education.html).Google Scholar
Walklate, Sandra. 1998. Understanding Criminology: Current Theoretical Debates. Buckingham: Open University Press.Google Scholar