AFRICAN RELIGION AND CULTURE AS PART OF THE SOURCES FOR CRIME AND VIOLENCE CONTROL IN THE 21ST CENTURY NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigeria as a heterogeneous society is faced with numerous crime and violence. Criminal offenses no doubt, challenge Nigerian social setting. Crimes and violence peculiar to Nigeria include: murder, terrorism, kidnapping, extra-judicial killings, cyber crime, insurgency, militancy, electoral malpractices, stealing by tricks – 419, robbery, examination malpractices, etc. A lot of measures have been put in place to control criminality and violence in Nigeria, but the more the crime and violence fighters are inaugurated, the more the crimes and violence are proliferating. Therefore, the problem this research has indentified is the weaknesses and inability of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to control crimes and violence to the barest minimum. The paper in reaction to this problem aims at introducing pragmatic attention to African religion and culture as a formidable measure for the control of criminality and violence in the country. When it is done, there will be respect and regard for human life, economic development and growth, sustainable peace, unity etc. The study employs historical and phenomenological research method. Method of data analysis is descriptive. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. It is also recommended that Nigerians should pay serious attention to traditional values and culture, commit criminals to the ordeal of African religio-spiritual battles, and collaborate the law enforcement hierarchy with major state-holders in African traditional religious practices, among other things.