CULT-RELATED CRIMES AND SAFETY OF RURAL DWELLERS IN SOUTH-SOUTH GEO-POLITICAL ZONE OF NIGERIA
Keywords:
cult, crimes, well-being, armed robbery, assassinationAbstract
This study examined cult-related crimes and the safety of rural dwellers in the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives: to determine the relationship between armed robbery and the safety of rural dwellers, and to assess the relationship between assassination and the safety of rural dwellers. Two corresponding null hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study was anchored on the Human Security Theory. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study was conducted in selected rural communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta States. The target population comprised rural residents aged 18 years and above. Using Cochran's (1963) sample size determination formula, a sample of 384 respondents was obtained. Respondents were selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure involving purposive, simple random, and systematic random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A pilot study yielded a Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.82, confirming satisfactory internal consistency of the instrument. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square (χ²) test of independence at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between armed robbery as a form of cult-related crime and the safety of rural dwellers (χ² = 178.84, p < 0.05), leading to the rejection of the first null hypothesis. Similarly, a significant relationship was found between assassination and the safety of rural dwellers (χ² = 80.62, p < 0.05), resulting in the rejection of the second null hypothesis. The study concluded that cult-related crimes, particularly armed robbery and assassination, constitute serious threats to the safety and security of rural communities. The study therefore recommended the strengthening of community-based security structures through effective collaboration among traditional institutions, community leaders, and formal security agencies.
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