CYBERCRIME-RITUALISM AND VICTIMIZATION IN CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The general aim of the study is to assess cybercrime, ritualism, and criminalvictimisation in the Kwara Central Senatorial District of Kwara State, Nigeria. Two specificobjectives are considered, which include the prevalence of cybercrime-ritualism and the effectof invocation on criminal victimization. The development of information and communicationtechnology (ICT) has revealed an ever-expanding knowledge field that seeks to bring globalactivities to everyone doorstep. Apart from facilitating the emergence of a global village, theincreased access to the internet has opened a window for both legitimate and illegitimatetransactions. A thematic review of the literature is carried out. The study used Rational ChoiceTheory for its theoretical framework. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design inKwara Central Senatorial District, using 611 respondents to whom structured questionnaireswere administered. All the youths and women leaders from selected wards were engaged in anin-depth interview. The result indicated that 26.5% agreed that many people have fallen victimto cybercrime-ritualists in Kwara central senatorial district. The study concluded thataddressing criminal victimization associated with cybercrime-ritualism required acomprehensive approach, with the recommendation that the Kwara state government shouldorganise an anti-ritual program side by side with an anti-cybercrime program.