Benue State University, Makurdi

RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUTHS IN MAKURDI METROPOLIS, BENUE STATE-NIGERIA

Timothy Tyowase Anchovur, Terpase Nomor, Donald Tarfa Ende, Fanen Dekera
Department of Sociology,
Benue State University,
Makurdi.

Abstract

Migration of youths from rural to urban areas poses some problems in the rural as well as in the urban centres even though there are benefits derivable from it. One of the problems of rural-urban migration is increase in crime rate. In fact, the alarming rate of criminality alongside massive rural-urban shift among youths has generated a lot of concern among researchers. However, no research study has been able to identify the linkage between youth migrants and criminal behaviour in Makurdi metropolis. This study therefore examined rural-urban migration and criminal behaviour among youths in Makurdi metropolis. Specifically, the study assessed the causes of rural-urban migration among youths, investigated the factors responsible for the indulgence of migrated youths into criminal behaviour, and evaluated the effects of rural-urban migration among youths and explored measures that can discourage rural-urban migration among the youths. Structural Strain Theory was adopted for the study. The study also adopted a descriptive research design. Taro Yemane's sample size determination formula was used to get a sample size of 376 respondents that were used for the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection, while frequency distribution and simple percentages were used for data analysis. The study assumed that social issues like unemployment, lack of social amenities, and conflicts, are likely to propel the youths to migrate from villages to the cities. The study also assumed that youths who migrate to the city indulge in criminal behaviour when they do not have sufficient means of livelihood. Findings revealed that the causes of rural-urban migration among youths in Makurdi metropolis were unemployment, insecurity, poverty, search for better educational opportunities, and lack of basic amenities. Findings also showed that youths who migrate, most times, do not secure adequate source(s) of livelihood, hence, they indulge in criminality to earn a living. The study recommends, among others, that, the State Government should organize free and extensive vocational training for unemployed youths in both rural and urban areas and empower them meaningfully; and mostly private individuals should create more industries in Makurdi metropolis in order to engage unemployed youths.

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