Crime Wave And Public Confidence In Oodua People\'s Congress In Lagos Nigeria

Abstract

The increase in violent crimes, insecurity to lives and property and the inability of the police to effectively curb crime led to Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) incursion in crime control in South Western Nigeria. In spite of the public recognition of the organization as an effective mechanism of crime control, opinions are divided on its methods of operations and relationship with the police and the public. The study was therefore undertaken to assess the operations, effectiveness and public perception of the organization Two Local Government Areas (LGAs) from the 20 LGAs that make up Lagos state were selected purposively based on high population density, high incidence of crime and the presence of OPC security outfit. Two communities each from the two LGAs were further purposively selected. The communities were Idioro and Akala selected from Mushin LGA; Ajangbadi and Boundary selected from Ajeromi/Ifelodun LGA. Six hundred and ten respondents were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to generate data. Frequency distribution and chi-square were employed in the analysis of the quantitative data while the qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and ethnographic summaries. There was a drastic reduction in crime in Lagos sequel to OPC intervention as affirmed by 79.2% of members of the public. This affirmation was based on the reputation of OPC members as efficient and incorruptible. About two-third [61.6%] of public respondents express their support for OPC. Despite the ban on OPC, it has continued to exist because of community support and its effectiveness in crime control. The OPC has provided a feeling of security from the menace of armed robbers and other miscreants in Lagos metropolis. Therefore there is need to reorganize and retrain the organization for them to be used at the community level.

African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 11 (1&2) 2008: pp. 259-280