CRIMINALITY AND THE MEDIA: PERCEPTION AND LEGALITY OF THE AMOTEKUN SECURITY AGENCY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study theorises and investigates how law students of Edo University Iyamho perceive the newly establishedAmotekun security (para-military) agency by the six south-west states of Nigerian to assist the police to fightcriminality. Using a sample size of 64 law students of the University, the study is anchored on Penal Techniquetheory the study found out the police is perceived as ineffective in the performance of their functions and thatAmotekun will significantly improve security by collaborating with the police and creating job opportunities wasthe most effective weapon to fight crimes. It also found the police efforts need to be complimented in curbing crimeand media are not considered a very important tool in fighting crimes in Nigeria. The study recommends that themore security agency such as Amotekun should be created to assist the police in curbing criminality in Nigeria.This study theorises and investigates how law students of Edo University Iyamho perceive the newly establishedAmotekun security (para-military) agency by the six south-west states of Nigerian to assist the police to fightcriminality. Using a sample size of 64 law students of the University, the study is anchored on Penal Techniquetheory the study found out the police is perceived as ineffective in the performance of their functions and thatAmotekun will significantly improve security by collaborating with the police and creating job opportunities wasthe most effective weapon to fight crimes. It also found the police efforts need to be complimented in curbing crimeand media are not considered a very important tool in fighting crimes in Nigeria. The study recommends that themore security agency such as Amotekun should be created to assist the police in curbing criminality in Nigeria.