Motivations for Gang Membership in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The current study explores the major challenges (in the form of risk factors) that may influence unemployed youths' involvement in gang and criminal activity in Lagos, Nigeria. A combination of techniques (e.g., oral, in-depth interviews, and questionnaires) were used for the data collection. The computed outcomes establish some of the major conditions (e.g., large families, rural/urban migration, poverty, and police corruption) faced by the vulnerable youths before turning to gang and criminal activity as an alternative opportunity to improve their lot in life. The possible implications of the current findings on risk-focused prevention strategies are discussed.

Identifying risks for male street gang affiliation: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

“…C6 Salaam (2011) Gang membership seemed to emerge as a functional attempt to 'improve their lot in life. '…”

“…There was an association between individual perceptions of communities as dangerous and subsequent gang-affiliation. Gangaffiliation motivation arose from a perceived need for safety, and protection (C6) Cadwallader & Cairns (2002) Salaam, 2011 The community environment impacted upon the social development of young people who later become gang-involved. Rural and urban migration were associated with gang-involvement…”

A Cross-National Comparison of Gangs in the United States and Trinidad and Tobago

“…Anecdotal evidence suggests that these structural factors lead to differences between gangs from developed and developing nations. For example, qualitative research conducted in El Salvador and Nigeria has reported that gangs in these nations are substantially more organized, having clear lines of authority and responsibility, and individuals join gangs in these nations for more instrumental purposes (Salaam, in press). Though the level of gang organization varies across U.S. cities, gangs in the United States have, in general, been found to lack organizational structure and individuals are more likely to join for social reasons (Decker et al, 2008).…”

Boko Haram: Islamism, politics, security and the state in Nigeria

“…This more overtly religious element, especially the social exclusion and public withdrawal aspects, possibly increased the stakes of the situation in the minds of the security officials tasked with resolving the problems in Yobe State (Adesoji 2011;Marchal 2012). While criminal organisations typically have little, if any, respect or regard for the central authority of rule of law, such inclinations do not necessarily constitute the primary motivators of membership or collective action and do not always supersede the desire for monetary gain or sense of increased security (Salaam 2011;Sharkey et al 2011). Such complexities in motivation and intent are likely also to be as present in the membership composition of outwardly religious groups like Boko Haram as they are in other criminal organisations.…”