Urban slums and youth criminality in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

In the diagnosis of contemporary threat to state stability, urbanization is inevitably included among the litany of emerging challenges. This study sets out to examine the relationship between urban slums and youth criminality in Calabar urban area of Cross River State, Nigeria. To achieve this objective, 400 respondents were selected for questionnaire completion. The study relied on both primary and secondary data. The findings showed that unemployment is a driving force of youth criminality in slum areas of Calabar. The slum areas serve as hideouts for criminals since accessibility to these areas is difficult. Residents showed strong dissatisfaction with the role of the Police in crime control in the area. We recommend structural reforms towards economic efficiency through provision of employment opportunities by government in partnership with private organizations to improve the quality of life of the people. There should be combined efforts of the police and vigilante to check criminality in the area.

Keywords: Urban, Slums, Youth and Criminality