The Role of Traditional Institutions and Crime Control in Africa

This study explores the role of traditional institutions in crime control within the Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria in Africa focusing on order enforcement, crime prevention, conflict resolution, and challenges faced by traditional rulers. Drawing on Structural Functionalism and Social Control Theory, a survey with 372 respondents was conducted. The findings reveal that traditional rulers are crucial in maintaining order through fines, with varying perspectives on public ridicule's impact and consensus on effective crime control for life, property protection, social harmony, productivity, and governance. The research also highlights traditional institutions' support for conflict resolution mechanisms like reconciliation, adjudication, and mediation, alongside revealing challenges such as limited authority scope, collaboration issues with law enforcement, and lack of expertise in modern crime. The study recommended amongst others that providing resources, enhancing authority, developing cultural strategies, promoting community involvement, and training traditional leaders to address contemporary crime effectively.