EXAMINATION OF TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL STRATEGIES IN DOMA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE-NIGERIA

Strive by all societies for improvement in peaceful coexistence among people and the eventual development of its society is a moral obligation for policy-makers at all levels. This paper is an examination of the traditional methods of Crime prevention and control strategies in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State-Nigeria. The social survey research design was adopted for this paper. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative methods. 382 questionnaires were distributed and 356 retrieved from respondents from four selected electoral wards in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State-Nigeria, through cluster and snowball sampling techniques. The technique used in the analysis of data for the paper was the quantitative data analyzed using univariate analysis for this study, content analysis for qualitative data and transcribed verbatim into English, together with observational notes. Data collected showed that traditional norms and values ensure crime prevention control through taboos and diseases. However, the majority of the respondents are not satisfied with the traditional strategy of crime control and prevention because it is a rudimentary and ancient method of crime control that has not evolved to contend with the current crime realities. The paper recommends that the government must enhance the cooperation and relationship between the traditional system, the vigilante groups, and the police in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State-Nigeria. This cooperation can be realized through the legislative framework Also, the government and concerned stakeholders must continue to encourage and advocate for the improvement of vigilante group activities through increased funding and capacity development of its members since they are closer and accepted by their various communities. This will lead to crime prevention and control at the community-based level and indeed, the general society.