Analysis of the socio-demographic profi les of females detained for armed robbery in Lagos state, Nigeria: selected cases in Nigerian Correctional Services, Kirikiri, Panti and Ikeja Police Commands

Abstract

: Th e involvement of females in armed robbery operations posed a major concern to the public as well as the female folks. Th is paper therefore attempted an analysis of the demographic profi les of detained female armed robbery off enders in Lagos State, Nigeria. Th e paper examined the socio-demographic profi les of detained female armed robbery off enders at the Female Custodian Center of Nigerian Correctional Services, Kirikiri, Panti and Ikeja Police Commands, Lagos State, Nigeria. Th e study adopted the cross-sectional exploratory research design. Th e sampling was mainly purposive and the instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 2.0. Th e study revealed that female armed robbers are mostly singles within the age brackets of 21–25 years and their educational status was mostly secondary school certifi cate. It also revealed that the married female armed robbery off enders were married to armed robbers or live-in-lovers to armed robbers. Th erefore, the paper concluded that most females in armed robbery were infl uenced by fi nancial gains. Th e study therefore recommended that females should be encouraged to focus on educating and empowering themselves rather than getting involved in ‘quick wealth’ criminal activities and depending on han-douts from men.