Bayereayodeji/CRIME-TRENDS-ANALYSIS-IN-WEST-AFRICA-1970-2020-

An analysis of crime trends in West Africa over 50 years (1970–2020). # CRIME-TRENDS-ANALYSIS-IN-WEST-AFRICA-1970-2020- An analysis of crime trends in West Africa over 50 years (1970–2020). Introduction As part of my academic journey in data analytics at Vephla University, I conducted an analysis of crime trends in West Africa over 50 years (1970–2020). This study utilized a dataset from Kaggle, encompassing crime records from six countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Chad, and Niger. The goal was to identify trends in crime incidents, weapons usage, affected groups, and perpetrator activities, providing actionable recommendations to reduce and control crime rates in the region. This analysis highlights the urgency of a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach to reduce crime in West Africa. By leveraging data-driven insights and implementing these recommendations, the region can make significant strides toward a safer and more secure future. Key Insights 1. Crime Incidents Overview o A total of 6,862 attacks were recorded across the six countries over 50 years. o The highest number of incidents occurred in 2018, with 919 attacks. o Crime trends rose sharply in 1992 and peaked in 2018, followed by a gradual decline in 2019 (720 attacks) and 2020 (684 attacks). 2. Weapon Utilization o Armed Assault was the most used method (2,090 instances), followed by Bombing/Explosions (1,317) and Facility/Infrastructure Attacks (839). o There were 416 cases involving unknown weapons. 3. Injury Distribution by Country o Nigeria accounted for 81% of injuries (5,550 cases). o Cameroon recorded 879 injuries (13%), while Chad, Niger, Ghana, and Benin collectively accounted for the remaining 6%. 4. Target Groups and Impact o Private citizens and property suffered the most, with 3,047 attacks and 8,044 injuries. o Other major targets included military personnel (487 injuries from 436 attacks) and government entities (250 injuries from 539 attacks). o Religious institutions recorded 280 attacks, resulting in 1,502 injuries. 5. City …