Crime Risk Interpretations In Nigerian Built Environment: The Case Of Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Using a multistage sampling of respondents, this study uses ordinary least square logistic regression models to estimate violent crime victimization risks in the different residential neighbourhoods of Minna, Nigeria. It focuses on the effects of the neighborhood built environment in the form of nonresidential landuses and neighbourhood-level social and economic characteristics. As shown in the outcomes, residents with higher level of education had lower risk of violent crime victimization, as did high income individuals. Results showed that individuals' risks of violent crime victimization were significantly on the increase if respondents lived in the high density than do residents of the low density residential neighbourhood. Findings indicated that the neighbourhood-level presence of commercial and recreational landuses significantly increases residents’ risk of violent crime victimization in the study area. The study concludes that violent crime victimization risks varied significantly across neighborhoods and that socio-economic, structural and landuse variables accounted for this. Implications for future research and crime prevention policy are discussed.