Unlawful But Desirable: Assessment of Oodua Peoples Congress In Crime Management In Lagos Metropolis

Abstract

The article presents the findings of a cross-sectional investigation into Oodua Peoples Congress and crime management in Lagos metropolis. The article sought explanations to the roles of OPC and its impact on the crime incidence in Ajeromi/Ifelodun and Mushin where the study was carried out. Information were obtained through quantitative and qualitative instruments on the social relations that informed the intervention of OPC in crime busting in the southwest and how these relations and intervention process contributed to the maintenance of order or disorder of the society with the ban imposed on the organization still in place. The study shows that even though methods used by OPC were quite unorthodox, uncivil, brutal, and violent; devoid of the rule of law; the members of the public mainly the Yoruba, the majority ethnic group in Lagos, supported the OPC for its perceived effectiveness in providing security to lives and property. Crime incidence declined in Ajeromi/Ifelodun and Mushin,