Patterns and Modus Operandi of Crime and Disorderly Conduct on the Public Transport System in Abakaliki, Nigeria: A Descriptive Analysis

The Public Transport System (bus, coach and taxis) provides the most important means of transportation for the residents of Abakaliki environs as they commute to other locations for daily social, economic, political, health reasons. Its management is expected to provide safety for its many users and their property. However, an increase in the crime and public disorder rate—on both static and non-static buses/coaches/taxis—is causing great fear on the part of its users within the environs of Abakaliki. This paper examines and describes the complex patterns, trends and modus operandi of these crimes and instances of public disorder on transport in the environs of Abakaliki. The data are obtained from in-depth oral interviews with the park managers of selected transport companies. This work has found that crime and public disorder are common characteristics of the Public Transport System in Abakaliki. A discussion of the findings in parallel with the assumptions of two key traditional environmental criminology theories (routine and rational activities) enabled us to reach some conclusions on a wide range of policy issues and to help address the challenges.