Ochendo: An African Journal of Innovative Studies

Crop vandalism in Anambra State, Nigeria, undermines agricultural productivity and devastates farmers' livelihoods. This study, using Strain Theory as a framework, examines the motivations of perpetrators, impacts on victims, and justice system responses. Combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with farmers, law enforcement, and agricultural experts, the study finds that perpetrators are often driven by socio-economic factors like poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion. These conditions create strain, leading individuals to resort to vandalism as a means of coping with economic hardships, reflecting Strain Theory's premise that crime can arise from the gap between societal expectations and accessible means. Small-scale farmers bear the brunt, suffering financial losses, emotional distress, and disruptions that further entrench their vulnerabilities, affecting mental health, family stability, and community dynamics. Many victims report dissatisfaction with the justice system, citing inefficiency, corruption, and insufficient intervention from law enforcement, which exacerbates their struggles and erodes trust in legal institutions

Open Full Text (PDF)