Analysis of the socio-demographic profiles of females detained for armed robbery in Lagos state, Nigeria: selected cases in Nigerian Correctional Services, Kirikiri, Panti and Ikeja Police Commands

The involvement of females in armed robbery operations posed a major concern to the public as well as the female folks. This paper therefore attempted an analysis of the demographic profiles of detained female armed robbery offenders in Lagos State, Nigeria. The paper examined the socio-demographic profiles of detained female armed robbery offenders at the Female Custodian Center of Nigerian Correctional Services, Kirikiri, Panti and Ikeja Police Commands, Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted the cross-sectional exploratory research design. The sampling was mainly purposive and the instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 2.0. The study revealed that female armed robbers are mostly singles within the age brackets of 21-25 years and their educational status was mostly secondary school certificate. It also revealed that the married female armed robbery offenders were married to armed robbers or live-in-lovers to armed robbers. Therefore, the paper concluded that most females in armed robbery were influenced by financial gains. The study therefore recommended that females should be encouraged to focus on educating and empowering themselves rather than getting involved in ‘quick wealth’ criminal activities and depending on handouts from men.