CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Juvenile delinquency, a social problem worldwide has been

increasing drastically to the level of 30 percent since the 1990s
according to (World Youth Report, Sheryln, 2008). Anti-social
behaviors of young people have posed a lot of problems to the
wellbeing of the people of Nigeria. Citizens, researchers and
public officials perceive juvenile delinquency as a major social
contemporary concern in Nigeria. Juvenile crimes witnessed in
Nigeria include: drug abuse, cultism, bullying, truancy,
examination malpractices, prostitution and theft (Ugwuoke, 2010;
Sanni, Udoh, Okediji, Modo & Ezeh, 2010). Shoemaker (2010),
defined juvenile delinquency as “illegal acts, whether criminal or
status offences, which are committed by youth under the age of
18”. From this definition, it is pertinent to highlight the two types
of delinquent offences associated with young people, herein
referred to as juveniles. The first type of offence is a conduct that
would be a criminal law violation for an adult, such as rape,
burglary, robbery, etc.

The origin of juvenile delinquency in Nigeria dates back to the

1920s when youth crimes such as pick pocketing and prostitution
became predominant issues in Nigerian newspapers in that
period. This ugly trend led to the establishment of judicial
administrative processes by the colonial administrators to deal
with juvenile delinquents (Fourchard, 2006). It is appalling that
the worrisome issue of juvenile delinquency still plagues the
contemporary Nigerian society in a serious dimension
(Muhammed, Salami, Adekeye, Ayinla & Adeoye, 2009). However,
the problem of juvenile delinquency is not peculiar to Nigeria. In
2007, the law enforcement agencies in the United States of
America reported 2.18 million arrests of juveniles (Alfry, 2010).
Alfry also reported that the United States Bureau of Justice
Statistics found out that 72% of jailed juveniles came from
fragmented families.

Juvenile delinquency, also known as "juvenile offending", is

participation in illegal behavior by minors (juveniles, i.e.
individuals younger than the statutory age of majority). Most legal
systems prescribe specific procedures for dealing with juveniles,
such as juvenile detention centers, and courts. A juvenile
delinquent in the United States is a person who is typically below
18 (17 in New York, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Texas)
years of age and commits an act that otherwise would have been
charged as a crime if they were an adult. Depending on the type
and severity of the offense committed, it is possible for people
under 18 to be charged and treated as adults.

According to World Youth Report cited in Sheryln (2008), the rate

of criminal activity among juveniles in groups in the Russian
Federation is about three to four times higher than that of adult
offenders. Motivated by the increasing rate of juvenile
delinquency in Britain. Juby &Farrington (2001) examined juvenile
 delinquency and family disruption in a longitudinal survey of
South London males from age 8 to 46. The researchers found out
that 29% of the boys from disrupted families were convicted as
juveniles compared with 18% of the boys from stable families. It is
certain that family disruption was one of the contributory factors
to the upsurge of juvenile delinquency in Nigeria.

Juvenile delinquency is also seen as teenage crime. It is like any

crime that human beings commit but these crimes differ because
they are committed by young people. Before coming of age girls
and boys have less understanding of the world. Parents, friends
and teachers are all responsible along with the juvenile who
commit a crime. This is why courts do not punish the teenagers
like they punish the adults when they commit a crime. There are
separate juvenile courts and the purpose of juvenile punishment
is to help the teenager understand the importance of staying
away from crimes. There are various theories of juvenile
delinquency and various researchers have reported different
reasons of delinquency. Most of the delinquent teenagers belong
from low social, economic or psychological background. Here the
researcher intends to examine the factors and control of juvenile
delinquency in primary school, using Gwagwalada Area Council as
the case study.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Juvenile delinquency according to (Muhammed 2009) is a major

social problem which affects the whole society and constitutes a
 serious impediment to development in Nigeria. For example, in
Owerri municipality today, crime is common among the young
people, many of who are caught in one criminal act or the other
such as examination malpractice, armed robbery, assault, rape,
house breaking, forgery, truancy.

Children in single-parent families tend to receive lower levels of

supervision. Alfred opined that, inadequate parental supervision
has a tendency to increase the likelihood of juvenile delinquency.
When there is one parent living in the home as opposed to two, it
is more difficult to supervise children all the time. According to
Dogget, every day activities like errands and work must be
completed by the single parent, which leaves no parent in the
home. Because of this, children in single-parent homes tend to
receive lower levels of supervision. Lack of parental monitoring
contributes not only directly to children’s anti-social behaviours,
but also indirectly as it contributes to exposing them to associate
with deviant peers, which is predictive of higher levels of deviant
acts. From observation, it seems that parents and care givers are
not doing much in the supervision of their children in Nigeria
because of their numerous economic and social engagements.
This scenario tends to be giving impetus to juvenile delinquency
in Nigeria and Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT-Abuja, and has
prompted the researcher to conduct the research in the area.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

 The purpose of this study is to ascertain the factors and control of
juvenile delinquency in primary schools in Gwagwalada Area
Council FCT Abuja. The specific objectives of the study are to:

i. examine the factors of juvenile delinquency in Primary

Schools.

ii. identify the forms of Juvenile Delinquency in Primary

Schools.

iii. determine the consequences of Juvenile Delinquency in

Primary Schools.

iv. identify the control of Juvenile delinquency in Primary

Schools

1.4 Research Questions

Based on the above statement of problems in this study, the

following research questions guided the study:

1. What are the factors that contributes to juvenile delinquency

in Primary Schools?

2. What are the forms of juvenile delinquency in Primary

Schools?

3. What are the consequences of juvenile delinquency in

Primary Schools?
 4. what are the control of juvenile delinquency in Primary
School?

1.5 Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The scope of this study is a broad one but the researcher only
centers on juvenile delinquency in primary schools in Gwagwalada
Area Council of FCT Abuja. The research covered Factors, Forms,
Consequences and Control of Juvenile Delinquency in the study
Area.

1.6. Significance of the Study

The findings of the study may be of immense importance to

pupils, parents, teachers, researchers and government.

Students: the findings of the study would be of much

significance to pupils, to educate them on the dangers of juvenile
delinquency, and its negative effects on their academic
performance.
Parents: the findings of this study will assist parents in guiding
and directing their young ones from friends and other negative
influence.
Teachers: in primary schools. This is so because the report of the
study would serve as a good reference document to these groups
 of learners when conducting a research on the factors and control
of juvenile delinquency among primary School pupils.
Researchers: the findings of this study would serve as an insight
for further research into various challenges affecting youths and
the society at large.
Government: the study has much significance in Nigeria. This is
so because it would serve as a source of information to the
government especially in Gwagwalada Area Council FCT Abuja
that the study has investigated into. Significant study has shown
that juvenile delinquency does not just affect those involved but
also affects members of the society thereby causing a negative
impact on the society, increasing the rate of immorality in the
society.
Owing to the contemporary nature of this research work, it will
help to stimulate further research in this area. This study will
therefore contribute to the furtherance of knowledge.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

Juveniles: Juvenile means Child or young person, or childish. It

may also refer to Juvenile status, or minor (law), prior to
adulthood.

Juvenile delinquency: the habitual committing of criminal acts

or offences by a young person, especially one below the age at
which ordinary criminal prosecution is possible.
 Family instability: An alternative explanation of the association
between changes in family structure and negative child outcomes
is the selection hypothesis, which posits that the association is
due to common causal factors reflected in the parents'
antecedent behaviors and attributes.

Juvenile crimes: Juvenile delinquency, also known as "juvenile

offending", is participation in illegal behavior by minors (juveniles,
i.e. individuals younger than the statutory age of majority). Most
legal systems prescribe specific procedures for dealing with
juveniles, such as juvenile detention centers, and courts.

Broken homes: broken home is defined as a family that no

longer lives together because the parents have divorced. This
definition extends to broken marriage which is a marriage that
has ended because the husband and wife do not live together
anymore.

1.8 Abbreviations/Acronyms
NDLEA: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
NYSC: National Youth Services Corps
DFC: Distinguished Flying Cross
FCT: Federal Capital Territory
 CHAPTER TWO
2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This chapter deals with review of related literature under
conceptual framework, theoretical framework, review of previous
studies and summary.
2.2 Conceptual Framework
The following concepts were reviewed: Juvenile delinquency,
Factors of Juvenile delinquency, Forms of Delinquency,
Consequences of Delinquency, an Overview of the treatments and
control of Juvenile delinquency in public primary schools in
Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT, Abuja.

2.2.1 Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile delinquency, also known as "juvenile offending", is the
act of participating in unlawful behavior as a minor or individual
younger than the statutory age of majority. Many delinquent acts
can be attributed to the environmental factors such as family
behavior or peer influence.
Nurturing child is a crucial in every child’s life and if provide
proper care, attention in a right way the child grows in
constructive manner. Children behave in a good manner when the
factors like socio-economic condition, psychological condition,
surrounding environments etc. are good and positive and which
support them positively in shaping of their life. Physical,
psychological moral and spiritual development makes children
competent conscious and makes them able to understand their
 capabilities. On the other hand, detrimental environment lack of
basic requirements, poor parenting care and supervision etc. are
some of the major factors that induce child to become criminal or
juvenile delinquent.
The problem of juvenile delinquency not only affecting on the
family but also affecting on the society at large. The term juvenile
delinquency refers to the violation of criminal code and or pursuit
of certain patterns of behavior disapproved of for children and
young adolescents. The second United Nations Congress on the
prevention of crime and treatment of offenders (1960) pointed
out that if the term juvenile delinquency is restricted to those
juveniles in the country who have committed criminal offences, it
would seem that no universal definition is required.
It is observed that majority of the children who are in conflict with
the law have committed miscellaneous crimes or minor offences
like vagrancy truancy, begging or alcohol use etc. some of those
offences are known as status offences. The main concern area is
the increasing juvenile crime rate in the overall crimes committed
by children due to various socio-economic and psychological
factors. Which are caused for increasing rate of juvenile
delinquency in India. Through the present study, efforts have
been made to study causes and explore the various rehabilitation
measures taken by government. (Modo & Ezeh, 2010).

2.2.2 Factors of Juvenile Delinquency

Generally, causes of juvenile delinquency have been divided into
three segments. These segments are – a) Social causes. 2)
 Psychological causes. 3) Psychological causes. 4) Economic
causes. (Modo & Ezeh, 2010)

1. Social factors of juvenile delinquency-

Social cause’s acre more comprehensive among the various

others causes of juvenile delinquent. Among them, the major
ones are – a) Family background (b) School environment (c)
Criminal area. (d) Bad company of friends. (e) Defective
Recreation) social disorganizations. All these causes have been
discussed in detail through the following paragraphs (Galvez,
2006).

i. Family Background of the abuses of juvenile delinquent, it is

accepted that distorted family influence to be most potent. 50%
juvenile delinquents’ acre belonging to the broken families. The
term broken family indicates that, it is a family in which family
ties have been destroyed. Such type of family is not constituted
by a number of people living together but by their mutual
intimate relationship. Lack of intimacy caused for the breaking up
of family, and it is in broken families that juvenile delinquents
develop. In any such family, a child is not looked after properly.
In the onion of some specialists, broken families are more apt to
arise criminal tendencies in females than the male juveniles. In
broken family, the relationships of husband and wife, parents and
children, brothers and sisters lose their healthy nature. Therefore,
it is only natural if the children choose the wrong path that
destroys their lives. (Alfry, 2010).
 Attitude of parents also plays an important role in the juvenile
delinquency. Often when the child is deprived of love and is
scolded constantly on every occasion, be develops feeling of
revolt and hatred so that he runs away from the home at the
earliest opportunity and falls into life of crime. Disregard on the
parts of parents induces feelings of insecurity in the children with
a result that they develop mental complexes. If the parents try to
conceal many facts of their own life from children, the tendency
towards rime is only aggravated (Alfry, 2010).

The personality of the child is considerably influence by the

character and conduct of its parents. One rarely comes across a
child who has been able to mold its behavior according to socially
accepted values and concepts in the face of his parent’s telling
lies, hypocritical behavior. Sexual immovability and thieving.
Apart from this, the personality of child is also susceptible to the
influence of his/her brother or sisters’ personality This influence is
more potent in case of girls as they are not exposed to external
influence as much as boys, who remain in the home for
considerable less period of time. If the senior children in the
family manifest criminal tendencies, the youngsters are
invariably, influenced by it. if the elder brother or sister show
criminal tendencies or they engaged in immoral behavior, the
younger child is more apt to follow their example (Portner, 2011).

ii. School Environment: Child personality is also influenced by the

environment of their schools. One major form of Juvenile
delinquency is absconding from school paying truant from school,
 theft, and sex crimes were the major forms of Juvenile
delinquency, and even among those running away from school or
roaming outside the school claimed the greatest attention and
interest among children. It is observed that the gaining
membership of a ganged of criminals, punishment by the teacher,
poor academic performance and child’s ability and capacity.
Children who run away from the school usually spend their time in
the worst sort of company and commits all kinds of crimes. One
of the main causes of increasing indiscipline into eh present time
is that education is taken as stuffing the brain with information
rather than building up character. (Galvez, 2006).

iii. Crime dominated area: Some areas are not appropriate for the
overall development of children. Neighborhood costs important
influence upon the child. In a unstable communities where there
are no social taboos or laws. Pickpockets acre found in great
abundance in and around of particular areas of metropolitan
cities. The social traditions of backward and lower economic
status areas distinguish the pattern of crime from the average
groups. These patterns are maintained in Juvenile delinquent
groups. IN this way, big metropolitan cities have certain areas
where there is an abundance of criminals and these areas are
known’s criminal areas or crime dominated areas (Okorodudu,
2010).

iv. Bad company of friends: Criminal behavior is acquired through

interactions with others. An individual becomes a criminal when
there is excess of conditions that promote the infringement of law
 over conditions that prevent such infringement, and among
children, some get good company of friends, while other do not.
The child who is in the bad company of friends, progresses
towards crime while the child who gets into good reminds
company progress to become an able citizen in the society. An
individual behavior is influenced to considerable extent bit eh
conduct of his companions. In order to induce the children to
accept and respect the values and assumptions of audit society
around them it is necessary to create such an environment in
which inspiration to criminal behavior is reduced to the absolute
minimum (Okorodudu, 2010).

v. Defective Recreation: Today, the one means of recreation

available to the children is mobile phone, which is responsible for
Juvenile delinquency and anti- social activities to quite an extent.
Various news patters of crime are presented to an individual
through social medial internet etc. Internet have such potent
influence upon the adolescent that afar become viral certain kinds
of crimes increased many fold. The reactions of children towards
social media, pornographically material available on the intent,
may be differently to it. It is also observed that through some
studies, that there is a direct impact of cinema, TV serials sect on
the behavior of children is very high (Okorodudu, 2010).

vi. Social Disorganizations: Social disorganization leads to

disorganization of individual. Disorganization of society leads to
increase in crimes; hence it too, is one of the causes of Juvenile
delinquency. In modern industrial society there is lack of
 synthesis and equality which creates tension. This tension inspires
children to crime.

2. Psychological Factors-

The Psychological causes concerning criminal activity are - a)

Mental disease. (b) Characteristics of personality. (c) Emotional
disability.

i. Mental diseases- A criminal is a kind of mentally diseased

individual who is as much need of treatment as in need of
punishment. Some psychiatrists and neurologists believe that the
psychopathic personality is a cause of crime. Psychopathic
children are born in families where there is almost complete
absence of love, affection and control. The child concerning
psychopathic child is very un-socialized, irritable, cruel, obstinate,
suspicious, self-centered lonely, full of feelings of revenge,
backwards and hyper sexual (Muhammed, 2010).

ii. Characteristics of Personality - Tendency to crime is also

found to have close relationship with characteristics of the
personality. Personality is the method of an individual adaptation
to environment. Criminal children resort to illegal modes of such
adaption. Therefore, Juvenile delinquents have been found to
poses some characteristics features of the personality that throw
a light on the causes of Juvenile delinquency. A normal child is
comparatively well heaved, less explosive, peaceable, obedient
and social. On the contrary, Juvenile delinquent, is found to be
explosive disobedient and unsocial (Rew, 2005).
 iii. Emotional Instability- Emotional instability is one of the most
important causes of crime. A child’s personality is rendered
unbalanced through lack of love and affection, emotional
insecurity, very strict discipline, feeling of insufficiency and
inferiority, and reaction of revolt. Such a state of mind inspires
the child to criminal behavior. (Portner, 2011).

3. Economic causes- Crime and poverty are intimately related.

Among Juvenile delinquents, majority of them are belonging to
the families of unskilled laborers. Lower family income copal the
children also the share the burden and to neglect their education.
Many studies show that, among the Juvenile delinquents,
employed youngsters involved in crime than unemployed ones. In
fact, children in poor formalities have many desires that remain
unfulfilled and it is to satisfy them that they turn to crime. Poverty
also induces sense of dis-satisfaction and inferiority, another spur
of criminal tendencies (Martin, 2007).

2.2.3 Forms of Delinquency

The forms of delinquency include the following: (Portner, 2011).

1. Aggravated Child Molestation

Does any immoral or indecent act to or in the presence of or with

any child under the age of 16 years with the intent to arouse or
satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the person

2. Aggravated Sexual Battery

 Sexual contact accompanied by force or coercion, a weapon,
causing physical injury to the victim, being assisted by one or
more people (if force coercion, or defendant knows victim is
mentally or physically incapacitated), or the victim is under 13
years old.

3. Aggravated Sodomy

A person commits the offense of sodomy when he or she performs

or submits to any sexual act involving the sex organs of one
person and the mouth or anus of another

4. Murder

The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.

5. Rape

Unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out

forcibly or under threat of injury against the will usually of a
female or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable
of valid consent

6. Voluntary Manslaughter

Is the killing of a human being in which the offender had no prior

intent to kill and acted during "the heat of passion", under
circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to become
emotionally or mentally disturbed.
 7. Armed Robbery with a firearm

Is a form of robbery which involves theft of property and carrying

(or the pretense) of a weapon? It is considered a higher category
of offenses relating to thefts and the use of force.

2.2.4 Consequences of Delinquency

Muhammed (2010) have observed that young people in

contemporary Nigeria are mostly involved in armed robbery,
cultism, kidnapping, drug abuse and other criminal activities. In
corroborating this fact, the Imo state commander of National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) lamented that the young
people were the most involved in illicit drug usage and dealing
(Nkwopara, 2011). The consequences of this malady and other
juvenile crimes such as; examination malpractice, alcoholism,
forgery, rape, etc. in Nigeria include; social violence among
youths, armed robbery, mental disorders, lack of respect for
elders and other numerous social ills. In the light of the
nauseating problems of juvenile delinquency in Nigeria, scholars
and concerned citizens have attributed the menace to various
factors such as; poverty, peer pressure, family instability, drug
abuse and so on (Nwankwo, 2010). While recognizing these other
causes, this study seeks to focus on family instability and its
contribution to juvenile delinquency because “the family has a
crucial role to play in the development of a conforming or
delinquent personality (Igbo, 2007)”. As a result, this study aims
at bridging the gap in studies on juvenile delinquency and also to
 investigate the factors responsible for juvenile delinquency in
primary school in Gwagwalada Area Council.

2.2.5 Treatment and Control of Juvenile Delinquency

The foregoing exhaustive treatment of the social, psychological

and economic causes of Juvenile delinquency makes it clear that
the principle of specific causation does not properly apply to this
phenomenon. In fact, no any criminologist and Psychologist can
refute the fact that the causes of crime are several and varied.
Activities of person are related to the modes of adjusting to
his/her environment. In this adjustment individuals who apply
socially acceptable means are called healthy while those who
acre unsocial/ and abnormal means for his adjustments are called
criminals. Therefore, children become a criminal through the
cooperation of many causes, social familiar, individual,
psychological and economic. Hence, in order to rehabilitate the
Juvenile delinquent as a good member of society, it is requiring to
understand all the above discussed causes and to remove them.
It is a matter of no little satisfaction that this fact has been
experienced in all progressive countries with the result that
Juvenile delinquents’ acre anywhere cured rather than punished
(Pike, 2011).

i. Juvenile justice Board – This Board consist of Metropolitan

Magistrate or judicial magistrate and two social workers (one
should be a woman) All these people considered as a bench which
functioning as a unit. When a child has been found guilty of a
crime the social workers are having an important role in deciding
 the best course of action for the rehabilitation of juvenile
offender. The bench has the powers conferred by the code of
criminal procedure 1973 (2of 1974). The magistrate of Juvenile
Justice Board is having a knowledge or training in child
psychology and child welfare. The state Governments shall
provide such training and orientation pertaining to child
psychology, welfare of child, rights of child, national and
international standards for juvenile justice to all members of
Juvenile Justice Board as it considers very important, in
accordance with the integrated child protection scheme,
implemented by Central Govt. (Martin, 2007).

ii. Observation Homes- The State Government has established

children’s observations homes either by itself or with the help of
voluntary organizations. The Observation Homes either by itself
or with the help of voluntary organizations. The Observation
Homes are established for the reception of child in requirement of
care, treatment, education, training, development and
rehabilitation. (Martin, 2007).

iii. Shelter Homes- Shelter homes for children who have been
abandoned, neglected, abused, are registered as voluntary
welfare organization. The main aim of shelter homes is to provide
care to the children in conflict with law and to provide counseling,
various therapies and other related services. Rising of public
awareness on child abuse, child protection, parenting and other
youth issues, and equipping children with relevant skills to detect
 sign of abuse and to take action in this regards are some of the
major functions of the shelter homes. (Martin, 2007).

iv. Rehabilitation of Juvenile after being released or

acquitted: When any child in conflict with law released or
acquitted, and if he is requiring rehabilitation and social
integration to come in the main stream of the society as an
alternative by adoption, forester care etc. The child shall have
adopted for rehabilitation, as are orphaned, abandoned,
neglected or abused by means of institutional or non- institutional
methods. State Government institutions shall be recognized as
adoption agencies. Such agencies are subjected to scrutiny and
placement for adoption. Foster care is intended to be a short arm
situation until permanent, placement can be made. (Pike, 2011).

v. Setting up after care organization: The State Govt. Have a

statutory obligation to lay down the scheme and guidelines for
establishing. After care organizations, when the child leaves
special homes. The provision in this regard is incorporated by the
legislature to enabling the children to lead an honest and useful
life. (Martin, 2007).

vi. Special Juvenile Police Unit: Juvenile justice act has provision
for setting up special juvenile police unit in every police station.
To identify the children, who are vulnerable to engaging in
criminal behavior and help them is the main objective of the
special juvenile police unit. These special units handle the cases
of children in conflict with law and children in need of care and
protection. These units coordinating and functioning as a watch
 dog for providing legal protection against cruelty and exploitation
of children and report instances of non-compliance for further
legal action. It is observed that, in most of the districts, special
juvenile police units are either not formed or are not functional.
(Modo & Ezeh, 2010).

2.3 Theoretical Framework

This section presents theories related to the study.

2.3.1 Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura

This study is linked to social learning theory. Social learning
theory was developed and published in various stages between
1934 and 1947 by Albert Bandura. Social learning theory refers to
any behavioristic approach in social science that has a cognitive
or behavioral focus. Social learning theory combines the
differential association theory of criminal behavior with general
behavioral learning principles and proposes that criminal and
delinquent behavior is acquired, repeated, and changed by the
same process as conforming behavior.
According to social learning theory, juveniles learn to engage in
crime in the same way they learn to engage in conforming
behavior: through association with or exposure to others. Primary
or intimate groups like the family and peer group have an
especially large impact on what we learn. In fact, association with
delinquent friends is the predictor of delinquency other than prior
delinquency. However, one does not have to be in direct contact
 with others to learn from them; for example, one may learn to
engage in violence from observation of others in the media. Most
of social learning theory involves a description of the three
mechanism by which individuals learn to engage in crime from
these others differential reinforcement, beliefs, and modeling.
2.4 Review of Previous Studies
This section concentrates on the review of previous relevant
studies already conducted and concluded by other scholars on the
area that concerns Juvenile Delinquency.
A survey on psychopathology and psychosocial needs of juveniles
conducted by Bella, Atilola, and Omigbodun (2010). Many children
in Nigeria face a life of poverty, family instability, inadequate
educational opportunities and poor physical and mental health
which hinder their ability to develop into healthy adults, live an
improved quality of life or fulfill their life aspirations. These
factors have also been associated with juvenile delinquency and
need for institutional care.
As a step toward providing comprehensive services for
incarcerated children in Nigeria, this study aimed to identify the
psychosocial needs as well as types of psychopathology among a
group of incarcerated children at the Ibadan remand home.
A cross – sectional survey of children and adolescents at the
Ibadan remand home was carried out using a semi – structured
questionnaire. A total of 59 children were assessed over a one-
year period. Majority (90%) were in need of care and protection.
All (100%) had significant psychosocial needs presenting as
difficulty with their primary support, economic, social
environment, or educational systems. Majority (97%) also
demonstrated significant psychopathology and anxiety, suicidal
and depressive symptoms were the most commonly elicited.
Incarcerated children in this study showed significant mental
health needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. This should
be carried out through the collaborative efforts of mental health
professionals with various stakeholders in child care.
A survey on socio – economic factors of juveniles, socio conducted
by Adegoke (2015)– economic factors play a prominent role in
determining the behaviors of children in the society. This study,
therefore, investigate the opinions of Ketu – Adie – Owe
community in Ado –Odo / Ota local government of Ogun state, on
the socio – economic factors that cause juvenile delinquency. The
study adopted descriptive survey design. Data were collected
through quantitative method.
This involves seventy - three copies of questionnaire administered
among community residents conveniently sampled for the study.
Quantitative data were analyzed using table of frequency and
percentage distribution. Fifty – nine percent of the respondents
were female; 49.3% of them were married and 39.7% of them had
family size of 2 to 3 persons. The analyses in the study show that
97.2%of the respondents affirmed poverty as a cause of
delinquency, 89.0% of them opined broken homes, 83.3% of them
concurred on low family income as a cause, 84.5% of the
respondents signified lack of parental control as a cause of
delinquent behaviors; 82.2% affirmed that delinquency in
juveniles is caused by pressure from bad peer groups and 77.8%
of the respondents affirmed lack of moral / religious instructions
from parents as a factor leading children to delinquent behavior.
The study recommends speedy economy recovery;
discouragement of broken homes; adequate parental control and
sound moral / religious instructions to children as panaceas to the
problem of juvenile delinquency in our society.

John-Nelson, Ihuoma; Ihunwo, Asumptha E. & Ohanyiri, Moses also

carried out a survey on the Effects of Juvenile Delinquency on
Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in
Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The study
used the survey design to examine the effects of juvenile
delinquency on the academic performance of secondary school
students. The target population was 2,960 (two thousand nine
hundred and sixty) students’ drawn statistically from 5 randomly
selected secondary schools in Obio/Akpor Local Government of
Rivers State. The sample size comprised of 120 students in order
to have a fairly representative sample from the population; a
stratified random sampling technique was used. 120 copies of
questionnaire were distributed to the respondents. The
instrument used in the study was a well-structured questionnaire.
The statistical tool of analysis employed in the study is the chi-
square, frequency moles and percentage method. The frequency
moles and percentages was used to represent the answers in the
questionnaire to different questions posed in the questionnaire.
The hypothesis formulated was tested using chi-square. In the
chi-square procedure, two sets of frequencies; observed and
expected are compared. The findings present the rating of the
effects of juvenile delinquency on the academic performance of
secondary school students in Obio/Akpor Local Government area
of Rivers State. The data analysed revealed the results of male
secondary school students’ responses of grand total of 67 and
chi-square of 0.035. While female responses of grand total of 53
and chi-square of 0.042 were accepted. This shows that parental
influence on the career choice of secondary school students is
high; the two respondents did not differ significantly. Hence the
null hypothesis was accepted. This finding agrees with the view of
Wies (2012), in her study which states that ‘greater percentage of
juvenile delinquency among students is associated with children
from rich homes, since they are the majority in schools while on
the other hand juvenile delinquency is associated with students
from poor homes as a result of spill over from the society where
they constitute a larger percentage. The results of the findings in
table 4.4 shows that the juvenile delinquency among students is
as a result of peer group influence. However, the results revealed
that boys in secondary school’s response of grand total of 67 and
chi-square of 0.00005. While girls in secondary school’s response
of grand total 53 and chi-square of 0.00020 were accepted. This
shows that juvenile delinquency is as a result of peer group
influence. The two respondents did not also differ significantly.
Thus, the null hypothesis was accepted. This conforms to the
opinion of Thornberry and Krohn (2017) as he analysed that ‘it
has become clear that one of the major ways that juvenile can
become even more delinquent is through unrestricted interaction
with deviant peers.

Mariam A. (2020) conducted a research on the Factors

Responsible for Juvenile Delinquency in Nigeria: A Case Study of
Selected Primary Schools in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. The
method adopted is both analytical and qualitative. The Research
made a content analysis of the existing theoretical and legal
frameworks to identify the prevailing causes of juvenile
delinquency in Nigeria. The qualitative method involved non-
doctrinal approaches where a descriptive survey was carried out
through close ended questionnaires and in-depth interviews to
investigate incidences of juvenile delinquency and how the
delinquent is being taken care of in the administration of juvenile
justice in Nigeria. Frequency distributions with simple percentage
were employed and the study context cut across the six geo-
political zones of Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was
adopted and the target population was randomly selected from
the police, the prisons, the judiciary, the welfare officers, the
remand-homes, the legislatures, legal practitioners, parents, non-
governmental organizations and community leaders who are the
stakeholders in the administration of juvenile delinquency. A total
of 1,258 respondents returned the questionnaire out of the
selected population of 1500. Majority of the respondents are
within the age bracket of 18-45 years and more than a quarter
(31%) belonged to 46-65 years age group. Data from the field14
reveals that 197 (15.7%) respondents reside in Bauchi. 207
(16.4%) respondents reside in Enugu. 225 (17.9%) respondents
reside in Ilorin. 203 (16.1%) respondents reside in Kaduna. 216
(17.2%) respondents reside in Lagos while 210 (16.7%)
respondents reside in Port Harcourt.

The data indicates that the majority of the respondents 74% (928)
strongly disagree and disagree that laws and policies on the
rights of the child in Nigeria are adequate to address juvenile
offences. The data also shows that 71.7% (902) respondents
strongly disagree and disagree that the existing legal measures to
regulate juvenile justice administration in Nigeria are adequate.
When the respondents were questioned on whether the refusal to
enact the Child Right Law by some states adversely affects
juvenile justice administration in those states, the overwhelming
majority of 948 (75%) as revealed in table 5.2 above strongly
agree and agree. For example when some of the respondents
were told to freely comment on their responses in an
interview,88one of them, a Legal Practitioner in Ilorin says: “In
fact, the inability to implement the Child Right Law by some
states in the federation affects juvenile justice administration.”

Similarly, from the data presented, the overwhelming majority of

57% (716) respondents strongly disagreed and disagree that the
existing laws and policies on juvenile custodial institutions in
Nigeria are adequate. This means that the existing laws and
policies on juvenile custodial institutions in Nigeria are
insufficient. Also, the data presented in table 5.2 reveals that
majority of the respondents representing 83% (1041) strongly
agree and agree that the responsibilities of
rehabilitation/correctional homes are fully provided in the laws
and policies on the rights of the child.

It has also been revealed that the juvenile custodial institutions

are performing creditably well. This is shown from the
respondents’ responses where 83% (1041) of them strongly agree
and agree that juvenile justice custodial institutions are effective.
To buttress the above assertion, there are respondents’
responses in another interval in table 5.2 above where the
majority of respondents, 88% (1107) strongly agree and agree
that the use of children remand homes would be a corrective
measure to reduce juvenile delinquency. However, from table
5.2.1 above, Borstal home was ranked 1st in the juvenile justice
administration with 663 representing (53%). With 554 (44%)
respondents, Remand Home was ranked 2nd in the Juvenile
justice administration. With 517 (41%) respondents, Government
Approved School was ranked 3rd in juvenile justice
administration. This was followed by Prison with 501 (39.8%) and
lastly the Police Cell with 457 (36%).

A survey carried out by Evelyn Amankwaa (2015) on Juvenile

Delinquency: Its Causes and Effects. The study involved inmates
at two Correctional facilities in the Greater Southern Region.
Participants were 57 made up of, 50 Boys and 7 females. A
structured questionnaire was developed and administered to
collect data on respondents personal and family background
information, causation of their delinquent behaviour, effects of
their behaviour and information about factors that influenced
their behaviour. Permission was granted the researchers since the
study was of minimal risk to the participants (minors), and officer/
supervisor was always present during data collection. Languages
used for the interview were English (inmates who demonstrated a
good understanding of English language could answer the
questionnaire themselves) and Twi (to augment the data
collection process). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS version 20) software was used to generate frequencies and
percentages.

Many inmates constituting 47% had at least basic education up to

Junior high school level. In terms of the living arrangements of
respondents prior to incarceration, 17 and 18 of the delinquents
lived with only one of their parents (because the other parent was
either deceased or divorced) and other relatives/friends
respectively. This may account for their exposure with bad
company and hence their committing of crimes if high supervision
is not given. However, 22 respondents lived with both parents but
still found themselves committing crimes. Various reasons were
attributed to their being there such as neglect or a large family
size with little or no income. Thirty-five (35) of the respondents
lived in a family of 6-10 individuals of which such a family is large
hence a completion for resources and attention may be difficult to
 get and hence may be a reason to find them committing crimes to
survive.

Therefore, if juvenile must be treated separately from adult

offender, there must be awareness creation, education, policy
formulation and implementation, establishment of the facilities
and training of personnel by the government and community
sensitization by the social workers on the need and importance of
such services.

2.5 Summary
Juvenile delinquency has continued to rise on an alarming rate,
despite the worldwide fight and campaign against it. Many
students have been affected negatively by this menace, some are
school dropout, others are now full blown into maladjustment
practices, disturbing the peace of our various communities. In
totality, this affected students have had poor grades and poor
academic performance that has continue to affect not just
themselves but the society they live in.

As identified in this chapter, the factors of juvenile delinquency

are broad, from family background to school environment. This
shows that the triggers are surrounded around us. So therefore, it
is imperative that we attack this factor, replacing them with
possible solution to juvenile delinquency. This study, sets to
establish these possible solutions in the control of juvenile
delinquency in Primary Schools in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT
Abuja.
 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

3.1 Introduction

This chapter is concerned with the method used in carrying out

this study. The chapter is presented under Research design,

Population of the study, Sample size and sampling procedure,

Instrumentation, Validity and reliability of the instrument, Data

Collection Procedure and Method of data analysis.

3.2 Research Design

The study employed descriptive survey design. This is because a

survey research design enables the researcher to gather

relatively limited data from relatively large cases (Ndiyo, 2015).

According to Sambo (2005), a survey research design is one in

which group of people or items are studied by collecting and

analyzing data from only a few people or items considered being

representative of the entire group. The choice of survey research

design is informed by the fact that the research has wide scope

and which allows a great deal of information to be obtained from

large population that is geographically dispersed.

3.3 Population of the Study

The target population used for this study comprised of public

primary school students in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.

3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Procedure

In this study, the sample size comprised of 250 pupils from public

primary schools in Gwagwalada Area Council were used as

respondents for the research problem. In line with this, five

schools were randomly selected and pupils were also randomly

selected as respondents to the questionnaire. The sampling size

for the study was drawn from five (5) primary schools listed

below. In four of the schools, 50 pupils were selected while in a

fifth school, 50 pupils were selected given a total of 250

questionnaires for the study.

Sampling means taking any portion of the population as being

representative of that population. According to Mugenda (1999), a

sample of 10% of the target population is sufficient to represent

the whole population. However, a bigger sample increases its

 representativeness. In order to obtain a meaningful, relevant and

reliable data as well as making valid generalization thereof within

the limited time, cost and conveniences, a random sampling

method was used.

Table 1: Sample Size Distribution

S/N Name of Schools Sampl
e

1. Government Day Primary School Sabon Gari 50

2. Government Day Primary School Phase 3 Gwagwalada 50

3. L.E.A Primary School old Kutunku Gwagwalada 50

4. Government Day Primary School Hajj Camp 50

5. Gadanasko primary school Phase 1 Gwagwalada 50

Source: Field Survey (2023)

3.5 Instrumentation

The instrument used for the collection of data is self-structured

questionnaire titled “Factors and Control of Juvenile Delinquency”

designed by the researcher. The questionnaire was divided into

two sections. Section A, consisted of the demographic data of

respondents while section B, consisted of research statements to

 elicit information on the factors and Control of Juvenile

Delinquency. The response mode was a four-point scale of

measurement which consisted of the following:

Strongly Agree - SA - 4

Agree - A - 3

Disagree - D - 2

Strongly Disagree - SD - 1

3.6 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument

In order to ascertain the face, content and construct validity of

the instrument for the study, the researcher ensured that the

questionnaire covered the research questions of the study and

then subjected the initial draft to the scrutiny of the experts in the

department and the project supervisor. Some items were

modified based on expert’s advice before the researcher

produced the final copy of the instrument which was used for the

study. To establish the reliability of the instrument, the researcher

conducted a pilot test in a public primary school in Gwagwalada

Area Council of FCT, Abuja with twenty pupils (20) who were not

part of the research sample. A test-retest was used and the data

was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation

 Coefficient and an index of 0.78 was obtained which showed that

the instrument was reliable.

3.7 Data Collection Procedure

The researcher prepared two hundred and fifty (250) copies of the

questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to two hundred

and fifty pupils in the five selected public primary Schools. The

researcher personally visited the schools for the administration of

the questionnaire. Permission was taken from the school

authorities before administering the questionnaire. All completed

questionnaire copies were collected from the pupils for analysis.

3.8 Method of Data Analysis

The data collected from the study was analyzed using frequency
counts, percentages and mean scores. Any mean that was higher
than 2.50 or greater, was considered agreed while any mean
lower than 2.50 was considered disagreed.