Assessing the patterns of crime on a nature reserve in Nigeria
Crime around Nature Reserve in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20372/JFNR-hu/2025.1369Keywords:
Forest reserve; criminality; conservation; wildlife; Omo Forest ReserveAbstract
The incidences of illegal activities around nature reserves have dire effects on biodiversity and significant environmental, social, and economic consequences. Therefore, this study examines the fundamentals of crime on nature reserves in and around Omo Forest Reserve (OFR) in Nigeria. Data were gathered using mixed methods, including focus groups, in-depth interviews, and questionnaire administration. Eight randomly selected enclaves within a 5-kilometer radius of Omo Forest Reserve were included in the study. A systematic random sampling was used to administer 164 questionnaires in the selected enclaves. Additionally, convenience sampling was used to interview administrators of Omo Forest Reserve. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings show that the majority of residents in the study area were male (63% of the respondents), and they are actively involved in crime in the nature reserve, with few women playing subordinate roles in the crime. All respondents identified illegal logging and deforestation as the primary types of crime in the nature reserve. The respondents also indicated that dwellers of the communities surrounding the reservoir, hunters, and corrupt officials of the forest reserve are among the top perpetrators. Lack of law enforcement was mentioned as the major influencing factor, while alternative employment opportunities will serve as a major preventive measure. Moreover, the study found that crime on the nature reserve was on the rise in the study area. The study concluded that the increasing lack of law enforcement, growing demand for natural resources, lack of political stability, and mounting pressure for land access pose a great challenge that is likely to escalate crime in nature in the study area in the future. This study offers policy and research recommendations that engage with relevant stakeholders.
References
Ayanniyi, O. A., Ayeni, O. H., Ibitoye, O. S., Wealth, A. S., Murtala, M. O., Oshe, L. N., & Chiawa, O. C. (2024). The silent crisis: Navigating Nigeria’s endangered wildlife amidst the empty forest – Unveiling threats, igniting conservation efforts, and illuminating potential solutions. World Scientific News, 190(2), 216-236.
Akande, O., Adeyemi, A., & Akinyemi, F. (2020). Assessing the status of forest reserves in Southwest Nigeria: A case study of Omo Forest Reserve. Tropical Forestry and Development, 4(2), 59-70.
Amusa, T.O, Omonu, C., Olabode, E., Newton, N.J. (2017). Population status and distribution of forest elephants (Loxodonta Cyclotis Matschie, 1900) in Okomu National Park and Omo Forest Reserve, south-western Nigeria, Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife & Environment, 9 (2): 44-56
Ajayi, K. (2022, April, 12). Omo Forest Reserve: Balancing conservation and community livelihoods. Nigerian Tribune.https://tribuneonlineng.com
Badiora, A. I., & Oresanwo, G. A. (2022). People, Wildlife and Contest for Space in Okomu National Park, Nigeria: The Experience of the Host Communities and Managerial Perspective. International Journal of Real Estate Studies, 16(1), 100–111.
Badiora, A. I., & Oresanwo, G. A. (2024). Women and Illegal Trade in Wildlife: A Nigerian Case Study. Deviant Behavior, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2024.2361833
Barber, C. V., Winfield, K., & Petersen, R. (2021). Nature crime: Understanding and tackling a key threat to the climate and land use agenda. Climate and Forests 2030: Resources for Funders.
Congressional Research Service. (2021,). Wildlife poaching and trafficking in Africa: An overview. Congress Research Service. Available at: https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF11923
Consalo, K. Z. (2020). Fighting back from the brink: International efforts to prevent illegal trafficking in endangered species. Environs: Environmental Law & Policy Journal, 43, 67.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2019). Wetland wildlife resources of Nigeria. Food & Agriculture Organization Occasional Paper. No. 78. Rome, Italy.
Grawert, A., & Cullen, J. (2017). Crime in 2017: Updated analysis. Brennan Center for Justice, New York University, New York.
Ho, D. G. (2006). The focus group interview: Rising to the challenge in qualitative research methodology. Australian Review of Applied Linguistics, 29(1), 5-1.
Leo´n-Mantero C, Casas-Rosal JC, Pedrosa Jesu´s C, Maz-Machado A (2020) Measuring attitude towards mathematics using Likert scale surveys: The weighted average. PLoS ONE 15(10): e0239626. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pone.0239626.
Lynch, M., & Stretesky, P. (2019). Green criminology: Conceptions, conflicts, and opportunities. Critical Criminology, 27(3), 305-318.
Makwana, D., Engineer, P., Dabhi, A. & Chudasama, H. (2023). Sampling Methods in Research: A Review, International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development, 7 (3), 762-768.
Nellemann, C., & INTERPOL. (2016). The rise of environmental crime – A growing threat to natural resources, peace, development, and security. UNEP/INTERPOL Rapid Response Assessment. Nairobi, Kenya.
Smith, J., Johnson, A., & Martinez, C. (2019). Understanding the dynamics of nature reserve degradation: A case study from Ireland. Environmental Management, 45(3), 478-489.
Smith, J., Johnson, A., & Thompson, L. (2020). Understanding the drivers of nature crime for targeted conservation interventions. Conservation Science Journal, 45(3), 210-225.
United Nations Country Team (2022). Common Country Analysis - February 2022. United Nations in Nigeria. Accessed from https://nigeria.un.org/en/190049-common-country-analysis-2022 on???
UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime). (2020). Wildlife crime report: Trafficking in protected species. UNODC, Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria
Lambrechts, D. (2016). Environmental crime in Sub-Saharan Africa – A review and future challenges. Politikon, 43(2), 155–158. https://doi.org/10.1080/02589346.2016.1213692
Lawson, K. & Vine, A. (2014). Global impacts of the illegal wildlife trade: The costs of crime, insecurity, and institutional erosion. Chatham House, London. Avail at: https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/Research/Africa/0214Wildlife.pdf
Oluduro, O.F., & Gasu, G.N. (2012). A critical appraisal of the legal regime for biodiversity conservation in Nigeria. Canadian Social Science, 8(4), 249-257.
De Jong, D., & Stewart, J. (2019). Illicit Exploitation of Natural Resources. In C. C. Jalloh, K. M. Clarke, & V. O. Nmehielle (Eds.), The African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples’ Rights in Context: Development and Challenges (pp. 590–618). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ward, J. (2014). Are problem-solving courts the way forward for justice? Howard League: What is Justice? Working Paper No. 2 Howard League for Penal Reform, London, United Kingdom.
White, R., & Ronald, C. (2015). Critical criminology and the struggle against climate change ecocide. Critical Criminology, 23, 383–399.
Yager, G.O., Abete, M., & Chenge, I.B. (2019). Evaluation of range flora and fauna composition of a community forest in north-central Nigeria. Sustainability, Agriculture, Food and Environmental Research, 7(1), 21-36.
