YOUTHS’ UNEMPLOYMENT AND RURAL CRIME IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA (2015 – 2023)

Abstract

This study focused on youths’ unemployment and rural crime in Imo State. The
study was conducted to determine the extent to which unemployment leads most youths to engage
in criminal activities. Three research questions, three research objectives, and three research
hypotheses guided that study. The researcher adopted anomie theory to analyse the subject matter.
Some empirical studies were consulted and analysed. This study adopts a descriptive and
qualitative research method. Based on that, only secondary data were collected through books and
journals. The study concludes that Nigeria's development depends on the extent to which youths
are well engaged in productive employment or ventures, thereby reducing crime. The study
recommends that the Nigerian government should provide employment for the youths to make
them positively engaged and reduce the incidences of kidnapping, armed robbery, and cultism.
Additionally, there is a need for the reorientation of Nigerian youths through families, religious
leaders, and the national orientation agency on the importance of acquiring skills and engaging in
positive ventures, which will enable them to contribute positively to Nigeria's development and
avoid all forms of crime.