ABSTRACT
The
prevalence of crime in higher institutions in Nigeria has been on the increase
in recent years, this has not only become a concern to the government, but to
the university authorities and members of the society. The menace consequently,
is crippling the entire educational goals as insecurity, which is a product of
crime, disrupts the curriculum. It is quite obvious that crimes like stealing,
rape, cultism, examination malpractice, murder and many more has come to stay
on campus.
This
study focuses on the use of information
and communication technology (ICT) in crime detection and safety in Nigeria Universities. It reveals
ways of implementing ICT facilities to curb these heinous crimes that intercept
our educational goals.
The
study made use of cross sectional survey
with validated structured questionnaire as method of data collection from two
selected universities in Enugu state (Godfrey Okoye University, and the
University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus). In the analysis, mean table was used to
present result while frequency table and
simple percentage were used to analyze each questionnaire item. The findings
revealed major challenges and solutions
to the use of ICT facilities for crime detection in Nigeria universities. The
challenges includes unavailability of sufficient ICT facilities like metal detectors, biometric
finger print identity system, electronic detectors, bomb detectors, car
trackers, faraday cage, phone signal jammers and so on; lack of student awareness and usage available
tools; poor functionality of available facilities; lack of implementation of
newer technologies; poor perception of
student on the use of some ICT tools for crime detection, etc.. Findings from the research suggests
that as a matter of urgency, the government,
university authorities and stakeholders in education should collaborate
to make necessary ICT tools available in schools to ensure school safety.
Proper orientation to freshers could also curb awareness challenge.
It
is hoped that the findings in this research work would help in curbing the
problems of crime in our tertiary institutions. The study would also help to
stimulate further research in this area of study.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background
to the study
Today’s college and universities are
faced with many challenges in the attempt to provide a campus that is safe and
secure. The college campus has traditionally been known as a safe haven for
students, but recent tragic events have left the leaders of higher education
with the challenge of preparing for tragedies that could happen on their campuses
(Carrico, 2016).
Nigerian university society is faced with
many crimes that go undetected but undeniable. Crimes like stealing, robbery,
rape, cultism, vandalism, open threat, homicide etc. have come to stay on
campuses. These crimes has turned school environment from the peaceful
conducive and safe place it used to be, to an insecure, fearful and
uncomfortable place.
Safety of the students both physical and
psychological is central to their academic performance. Every person desires to feel and stay safe
for maximum performance. Security is a first-order or necessary precondition
for the development of human beings and societies (Etannibi, 2016).
Crime is not a concept of concern only to
Nigerian educational institutions. It is universal, with a very long and
difficult history to trace. Many universities in all parts of the worlds have
their fair share of crime which has become an issue of national concern. Crime
impacts on the society in a variety of ways according to the nature and extent
of crime committed. It constitutes a problem when its incidence is so rampant
in the society as to constitute a threat to the security of persons and
property, as well as social order and solidarity (Adebayo, 2013).
School security has become an
increasingly high priority for higher institutions. Since crime introduces
insecurity, detecting crime situations through machines and data mining
approaches can be used to promote school safety.
Crime
is growing uncontrollably in Nigeria universities despite the enormous effort
of university administrators to prevent and control them. Crime is an act
committed or omitted in violation of a law for which punishment is imposed upon
conviction.
In the past few decades, there has been a
revolution in computing and communication, and all indications are that
technological progress and use of information technology will continue at a
rapid rate.(Konsbruck, 2018). One of the most striking technological
developments of recent years has been the emergence of digital technology as a
powerful tool in our lives. Information
Communication and Technology could play a great role in crime detection and
enhancement of school security. ICT tools like Closed Circuit Television(CCTV),
emergency call systems, metal detectors, GPS tracker, biometric scanner, bomb
detectors are useful technologies for improved security. These tools reduces
crime by giving criminals the thought that they would be seen, identified and
possibly be caught if the engage in crime. Since most students don’t want to be
known for crimes like rape, stealing
etc. because of their law penalty and personal reputation, these tools helps to
keep the school environment secure. Students perpetrate most on-campus crime
and are the highest victims of such crimes. Crimes among university students
could be prevented, detected and enhanced using technologies of ICT.
The
tragic situation of Nigeria universities having rapid increase of seemingly uncontrollable criminal acts and
the pressure it places on school administrators gave ground for the exploration
of Information Communication and Technology tools and how they can be used to
detect these heinous crimes and at larger level propagate school security.
Statement of Problem
University community in recent years has
witnessed alarming increase at the rate
which crime thrives on campuses. Criminal acts like rape, breaking of offices,
stealing, snatching of cell phones and cars, cultism have become the order of
the day in our tertiary institutions. Crimes of stronger impact like murder,
assassination and group rebellion on campus is germinating and will soon become
high ranked crimes if neglected. People no longer feel safe with others. Crime has become borderless in nature and
this makes fight against criminals more
complicated for law enforcement agents. To successfully tackle crime, African
leaders need to gain knowledge from the steps taken by most developed countries
in using ICT to combat crime (Akinola and Ogunobi, 2015). Advancement in technology has also benefitted
criminals by providing sophisticated tools and making networked-crime possible
on campuses and society. People can now invade bank accounts illegitimately,
buy guns and other weapons for their selfish uses, and even hack databases. The
earlier days of universities has no record of this category of crime. It used
to be a true “citadel of learning, garnished with peace and tranquility, where
zealous men are changed to sound men and champions”. Unfortunately, crime has
striped the university environment of its savour. Crime is outrageously
handicapping the curriculum. The learner being an indispensible factor in the
evaluation of the effectiveness of the curriculum is also the major victim of
crime and violence on campus. If students fail to learn, the curriculum has
invariably failed. Governor Deval Patrick asserted that;
“No child will be able to succeed
academically if they don’t feel safe in school. No teacher would be able to
teach at their best if they aren’t confident
there’s a plan in place to ensure
their school is well prepared for an emergency”
Governor
Deval Patrick—Jan 16, 2014
Institutions spend a lot of money on
security and are yet, ready to spend more. Everyone is desperate about finding
solution to these crimes that are eroding the reputation of higher education
and tarnishing the image of our campuses. It is agreed that the university
though may embody people of different languages, tribe, culture, race, value,
believes, principles, background and experiences, which contributes to crime
like religious killing, rebellion and more. However, higher institutions are
purposed to support socio-cultural co-existence. Provision of safety being a
top responsibility of university administrators, curbing crime to ensure
security requires a concerted effort of everyone to be attainable. The alarming
rate of rise in crime and the quest for safety in tertiary institutions
especially campuses led the study of the use of ICT as a weapon for detecting
these crimes that has besieged the campuses and making school safe without
compromising educational goals.
Purpose of the study
Generally, this study aims at finding out
how to use ICT in crime detection and school security using Godfrey Okoye
University, and University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus as case study.
Specifically, the study has the following
objectives;
1.
to identify what ICT tool s are
available in campuses using Godfrey
Okoye University, and the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus as case study.
2.
to determine the level of student
awareness and usage of available ICT
tools for school safety in Godfrey Okoye University, and the University of
Nigeria, Enugu Campus
3.
to examine the adequacy and
effectiveness of current ICT facililties employed in both schools(Godfrey Okoye
University, and the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus) for crime detection.
4.
to recommend new ways of using modern
ICT tools to detect/curb on-campus
crimes and enhance school security in Godfrey Okoye University, and the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
Significance
of the Study
The study has both
theoretical and practical significance.
Theoretically, it will add to existing research works and
literatures to be used for educational purposes. Hence, it will serve as a
databank for any student (or researcher) carrying out a study related to the
subject matter. Also, the research findings could lead to further research.
Practically, the study will be useful to authorities of
tertiary institutions in Nigeria and the Nigeria government. By identifying new
technologies and ways of using ICT to detect crimes and enhance security,
tertiary institutions can have a solid stand against crime and criminals. The
safety of the school will allow learning to effectively take place, thereby
producing self reliant and employable graduates who are sound in both character
and learning. As crime reduces, overall educational goals are achieved in the
learners. These people will return to the society as leaders and employers of
labour. To the society in general which is the potential victims of uncontrolled
crimes, the information obtained from the study will create a consciousness of
concerted effort towards a safer society.
The study will benefit teachers and students who are potential
victims of crimes in tertiary institutions. The information obtained from the
study will guide students and teachers on steps to take when they perceive
crime or are confronted by such.
The study will be
useful to security agencies in policing by exposing new technologies that can
be used to detect criminal. By employing the use of ICT for crime detection and
security, more criminals will easily be detected and caught while crime scenes
are observed firsthand with the help of CCTV.
The study will also be beneficial to other institutions or
business organizations who desire environmental safety of the work place or are
challenged with invisible crimes that are evident. Information obtained from
the study will help them see how ICT can help in monitoring the workplace and
detecting intruders.
Scope
of the Study
This study focused on the use of ICT in crime detection and
school security in Nigeria Universities using Godfrey Okoye University and
University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus as case study. However, the researcher is
very much constrained by time and resources to confine the study to Godfrey
Okoye University and the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus only. Both
universities were selected because they are typical of Nigeria Universities and
are more easily accessible to the researcher. Recommendations are made on how
to use ICT tools to detect crimes and improve the security of school
environment for learning to be effective.
Research
Questions
The following research questions
were formulated to guide the study;
1.
What are the ICT tools that are
available for crime detection in Godfrey Okoye University, and the University
of Nigeria, Enugu Campus?
2.
What is the level of student
awareness and usage of available ICT tools for school safety in Godfrey Okoye
University, and the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus?
3.
How efficient and effective are
present ICT facilities employed in crime
detection and school security in Godfrey Okoye University, and the University
of Nigeria, Enugu Campus?
4.
What ways can modern ICT facilities
be used to detect/curb on-campus crimes
and enhance school security in Godfrey Okoye University, and the
University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus?
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