ASSESSING THE PREVALENCE OF CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND CULPABLE HOMICIDE IN KADUNA STATE OF NIGERIA FROM 2014-2017

Abstract

This paper brings to light the prevalence rate of criminal conspiracy and
culpable homicide between 2014 and 2017 in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Using an ex post facto research design the records of 702 offenders (582 males and 120 females) within the age range of18 to 60 years with mean age of 36.7 and SD of 6.012 were systematically extracted from crime statistics book at the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID)of the Nigerian Police Kaduna, Nigeria with the assistance of two police officers. Three hypotheses were stated and tested using Chi-Square test. The results indicated the prevalence of 33.3% for criminal conspiracy and 66.7% for culpable homicide between 2014 and 2017. Also, the results reveal high prevalence of 49.6% for males and 17.1% for females on culpable homicide while 33.3% males for criminal conspiracy. The study found high prevalence rate of 34.3% for middle adults and 30.12% for older adults on culpable homicide while young adults have 28.2% on criminal conspiracy and 2.3% on culpable homicide. Hypothetically, gender and age indicated a significant difference in the prevalence rate as [χ2(1)= 72.371, P < 0.05] and [χ2(2)= 494.437, P < 0.01] respectively. Therefore, the study concluded that there is a high prevalence rate of crime among younger males than females in criminal conspiracy while older adults are found more in culpable homicide. We recommended advocacy against criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide through seminars, symposium and media adverts. While individual arrested should undergo psychological intervention. Also, primary data should be employed in future study.