Sociological Examination of Role of Women in Crime Control and Prevention: A Study of Nigerian Women

The resurgence of corruption and criminal activities in Nigeria society has become a pain the neck of government bodies and institutions. Official crime statistics across the nation is substantial even though the data are largely limited to those incidents which the public choose to report to the police, and which the police in turn record. Tragic loss of lives and injuries, loss of possessions and livelihood, sexual crimes, theft and burglary, arson, white collar crimes, murders, terrorism and others too numerous to mention are simply incalculable. This has in no small measure, threatened the Nigerians emergent democracy. Reducing levels of crime in Nigeria relies on a multifaceted strategy that involves resources and skills of a variety of role players. Crime prevention is infact everyones job involving activities that intervene more broadly to change the social, economic or other conditions which are thought to have casual significance to crime. In conjunction with government police service and other key role players, the Nigeria women are assumed to have an important role to play in controlling and preventing crime in local communities and nation as a whole. Using G. Trade and Durkheims social structural theories, the paper examines the role and contributions of women towards reduction and control of crime and corrupt practices in Nigerian society. It therefore recommends that government should recognize that interventions and preventions can be more effective if they integrate a gender perspective, coupled with little education of women directly related to crime prevention to be undertaken by city / rural governments to enhance their recognizing and reporting of anti-social/criminal activities in their neighbourhoods.