AWARENESS OF JUNGLE JUSTICE AS A STRATEGY FOR CRIME CONTROL IN IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the awareness of jungle justice as a strategy for crime control in Imo State, Nigeria. The study was anchored on scapegoat theory. Mixed method design was employed in this table. The sample size of 384 was generated using Fisher Lang, Stockel and Townsend method of obtaining sample size. Questionnaire schedule was used to collect quantitative data while in-depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data. The quantitative data were processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Windows, version 17. Also, descriptive statistics like frequency tables, simple percentages and graphic illustrations were used to analyze the quantitative data while manual content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Findings of the study
indicate that majority of the residents were aware of jungle justice because they had witnessed cases of jungle justice in the study area. The study therefore recommended that there should be adequate campaign using traditional and social media platforms to sensitize people on the consequences of jungle justice as a strategy for controlling crime. Also, efforts should be made by the government to set up highly effective law enforcement operatives to combat crime.