WHY CRIME is INCREASING in the SOCIETY and HOW to COMBACT THESE

There is endemic of criminal activities in the society today. Armed robberies, kidnapping, ritual killings, murder, assassinations, terrorisms are few of the cases of crime, which are prevalent in many countries of the world and reported in the print and electronic media.

The prevalence of crimes in the society can be traced to several factors. Primarily is the issue of unemployment, which has assumed a frightening and alarming dimension in many Countries. As the saying goes 'Devil finds work for idle hand', many unemployed youths out of frustration enlist in armed robbery, assassination and others to keep themselves busy and also keep the body and soul together. Many armed robbers had in the past confessed at the point of death that they took to robbery because of lack of job.

The value system of the society encourages crime. In many countries today, capitalist system of government is in vogue. The rich people are celebrated and worshipped notwithstanding the source of their wealth. In view of the importance being attached to wealth making, many youths are now desperate to make money at all cost and by whatever means.

Negligence of the educational system also promotes crime in the society. There is no doubt that an institution supposed to inculcate the right attitudes in pupils and students and make them to be highly disciplined. However, when an institution fails in this regard, this can lead pupils / students to crime. It is therefore not surprising that many armed robbers started with the act of stealing other pupils / students' properties in school before graduating into the society.

Premature drop out from educational institution further encourages crime. Ordinarily, pupil / student supposed to be fully trained after enrolment in institution, particularly by spending the required number of years. However, if a pupil / student leaves prematurely because of frustration, poor academic performance among other reasons, such pupil / student can take crime to survive in the society.

The influence of home factor cannot be over emphasised. Parents and guardians are supposed to give adequate moral training to their children / wards. They supposed to teach them what is right and wrong and instill the spirit of discipline in them. When parents fail in this regard, this can lead the children to crime in the future. Charity according to the wise saying, begins at home.

Poverty is another issue that is responsible for crime prevalence in the society. There is no gainsaying that there is harsh economic situation in many countries today, particularly in Africa. Many households and families are living below standard due to the high cost of living, occasioned by poor economy. Income of many households cannot sustain them until the end of every month. The situation is affecting the children who may take to crime to survive the hardship.

The preponderance of crime inclined films in the society is another factor. In many countries today, many films involving the use of Guns and other dangerous weapons are shown on television screen and in cinema houses thus providing opportunity for youths to master the act and become professionals in the society at the end.

Cultural factor in the society also influences crime in many Countries, particularly in Africa where it is a norm for people to be killed for rituals, to appease the gods. Greediness / over ambition of individuals in the society also encourages crime. Some individuals would want to achieve success at all cost and by whatever means. This therefore centres on the politicians who would not mind killing opponent (s) to win election.

Inability to prosecute many of those that are involved also promotes crime in the society. In some Countries, those involved in crime do get away with it due to the issue of 'god fatherism' or connection to the high places. This has been encouraging many youths to follow suit.

Another issue that promotes crime is drug taking. Today, armed robbers, kidnappers, terrorists are noted for taking Indian hemp, cocaine and other dangerous narcotics to give them the boldness to carry out their actions.

In view of the negative consequences of crime in the society including the death of innocent citizens, damage to properties, chaos in the society among others, there is need for efforts to be geared towards its eradication. This can be achieved if more jobs are created by government, if educational institutions administrators are alive to their responsibilities by instilling discipline in pupils / students, if dropout is prevented in educational institutions, if parents and guardians give proper and adequate moral training to their children / wards, if government ban the selling of crime inclined films in the society, if ritual killing is prohibited and if people develop good conscience ,be less ambitious and be their brothers keepers.