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The Lived Experiences of Reformed Armed Robbers in Nigeria Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2020 The Lived Experiences of Reformed Armed Robbers in Nigeria Patrick Akem-Vingir Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Patrick Akem-Vingir has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Melanye Smith, Committee Chairperson, Criminal Justice Faculty Dr. Evaristus Obinyan, Committee Member, Criminal Justice Faculty Dr. James Frampton, University Reviewer, Criminal Justice Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2020 Abstract The Lived Experiences of Reformed Armed Robbers in Nigeria by Patrick Akem-Vingir LLM, University of Kent, 2003 LLB, University of Lagos, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Criminal Justice Walden University May 2020 Abstract Armed robbery has affected Nigeria for years and is escalating; in 2019 there were 13,278 cases reported and 15,719 persons arrested. The purpose of this phenomenological study, guided by deterrence theory and anomie theory, was to explore the lived experiences of reformed young adult armed robbers who engaged in crimes from ages 18-25 in Lagos, Nigeria and belonged to street gangs. Data were drawn from a purposeful sample of 10 reformed armed robbers and 10 rehabilitated members of street gangs. Semistructured interviews were used for data collection. The lived experiences offered textual descriptions of the factors that precipitate participation in armed robbery activities. Ricoeur’s hermeneutic approach served as the analysis framework to extract relevant themes such as family background, access to small arms, peer pressure, influence of alcohol and drugs, gang membership, belief in charms, police corruption, ineffective criminal justice system, unafraid of death, and disinterested in armed robbery. Key findings of the study provided evidence that the death penalty does not deter young adults from engaging in armed robbery activities. Findings from the study and its recommendations may contribute to positive social change; government is better informed about measures to reduce crimes, communities are safer, unemployment is reduced in Nigeria, government may adopt new policy initiatives to address the danger posed by armed robbery. The Lived Experiences of Reformed Armed Robbers in Nigeria by Patrick Akem-Vingir LLM, University of Kent, 2003 LLB, University of Lagos, 1989 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Criminal Justice Walden University May 2020 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to first, my Lord and Master, Jesus the Christ who works in me both to will, and to do of His good pleasure. I recognize profoundly, the love and patience of my wife Mrs. May Toluwa Akem-Vingir. I thank God for bringing our destinies together. I love you! Finally, I thank my children, Steve and Olive bearing with me as I labored to earn a Ph.D. I love you guys. Acknowledgments I would first like to acknowledge with very deep gratitude, the immeasurable contributions of my chair, Dr. Melanye V. Smith. Dr. Smith went well beyond the call of duty to support with her expertise and words of encouragement. Dr. Smith was available to guide me through the process. Thank you, Dr. Mel. In the same vein, I acknowledge with deep appreciation, the guidance and counsel of Dr. Evaristus O. Obinyan, member of my committee. His expertise coupled with a deep understanding of Nigeria’s cultural and socioeconomic milieu shed more light on the literature and data. I must not fail to recognize with deep gratitude the timely interventions of Dr. Kimberley K. Blackmon, Academic Program Director, Criminal Justice, which helped in resolving knotty challenges in the course of this journey. Finally, the whole of our efforts would have yielded no results without the guidance of Dr. J. Scott Frampton who served as my University Research Reviewer (URR). I am very grateful sir. Thank you for what you do, Walden University. Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................8 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................10 Research Questions ......................................................................................................11 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................12 Deterrence Theory ................................................................................................ 12 Anomie Theory ..................................................................................................... 13 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................14 Operational Definitions ................................................................................................16 Assumptions .................................................................................................................18 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................18 Limitations ...................................................................................................................19 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................20 Significance to Practice......................................................................................... 21 Significance to Theory .......................................................................................... 21 Significance to Social Change .............................................................................. 21 Summary ......................................................................................................................22 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................24 i Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................25 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................25 The Deterrence Theory ......................................................................................... 26 Anomie Theory ..................................................................................................... 27 Literature Review.........................................................................................................29 Historical Origins of Armed Robbery and Capital Punishment in Nigeria .......... 29 Executions of Armed Robbers in Nigeria ............................................................. 32 Factors Leading to Armed Robbery Offenses in Lagos State............................... 34 Capital Punishment Phenomenon as Deterrence .................................................. 42 Comparative Study Views of Selected Capital Punishment Regimes .................. 52 Influence of Capital Punishment as Deterrence against Armed Robbery ............. 70 Impact of Capital Punishment Among Young Adult Armed Robbers ................. 76 Law Enforcement Architecture Against Armed Robbery in Nigeria ................... 79 The Nigeria Police Force in Law Enforcement .................................................... 81 Nigerian Military Services and Paramilitary in Law Enforcement Roles ............ 84 Local Vigilantes and Law Enforcement in Nigeria .............................................. 87 Gaps in the Literature...................................................................................................90 Summary ......................................................................................................................91 Chapter 3: Research Methodology.....................................................................................93 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................93 Research Question .......................................................................................................95 Role of the Researcher
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