IMPACT OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITES AMONG THE RURAL DWELLERS OF IKARE AKOKO, ONDO STATE NIGERIA

This study has no doubt shown that potential criminals like every other law abiding itizenry respond to the economic situation of their society through their action and lealing towards other individuals and society at large. The study also revealed that conomic hardship in the nation Nigeria today is no doubt creating endemic roblem affecting all and sundry which require urgent proactive strategy to meliorate if not totally control. The economic hardship has created much concern or both the government, various agencies and institutions, communities, ndividuals and groups as it is promoting all manner crime and criminal act that is oiling and may further tarnished the image and reputation of the nation at large. The study has therefore provides invaluable information on the impact of economic mardship on criminal activities in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study revealed the causes of economic hardships in the study area to include poor governance, lack of policy direction, corruption and mismanagement of resources, over-reliance on crude oil. lack of economic diversification, ethnicity and religious bigotary, insecurity and political violence, military longer period of nile, etc. it found the impact of economic hardship on criminal activities in Ikare Akoko to includes increases poverty, effect on house hold commodity, promote crime rate, affects living standard, reduces market supply, increase products prices standard, affect healthy living, promote fraud, reduces employment chances, affect both the poor and the rich, as well as reducing the rate of unemployment in the area etc. the conclude that the government need to put in place a proactive policy as a necessary potential strategies against the impact of economic hardship to reduce if not totally checkmated the situation. Suggested strategies includes provision of adequate health care system, facilities to fund local businesses, ensure the flow of basic necessities to the poor, reduced corruption by ending impunity, empower citizens and close international loopholes, encourage local businesses, reduce over dependent on oil, patronizing locally made goods, stop importation of goods that are available locally etc. This would help to reduce if not control economic hardship and criminal activities in the area as it may enable most youth to contribute their expected quota to the society and equally shun crime in all ramification.