Analysis of Poverty Level and Crime Incidence in Zamfara State

This study examines the effect of poverty rate, unemployment rate, and educational level on crime rate in Zamfara State, Nigeria spanning the period 2000-2024. Data (both primary and secondary) were sourced through the administration of structured questionnaires and from the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria Police Force crime reports, and the World Bank database. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used following preliminary tests for stationarity and diagnostic checks. Findings reveal that poverty rate and unemployment rate have a positive and statistically significant effect on crime rate in. A 1% increase in poverty and unemployment leads to a corresponding rise in crime rate, indicating that economic hardship and joblessness create incentives for criminal behavior. Conversely, educational level exhibits a negative and significant relationship with crime rate, suggesting that higher educational attainment reduces criminal involvement by increasing the opportunity cost of crime and limiting recruitment into armed groups. The study concludes that socio-economic factors are major determinants of crime in Zamfara State. It recommends targeted job creation for youth, expansion of access to quality education, and poverty reduction programs as critical measures for curbing crime. Strengthening these socio-economic variables alongside security interventions can contribute to sustainable peace and stability in the state.