Social Media and Crime Prevention in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

The increasing penetration of digital communication technologies has fundamentally transformed community engagement in security governance, necessitating empirical interrogation of their effectiveness in grassroots crime prevention. This study therefore, examined social media and crime prevention in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. Specifically, it investigated how residents utilise social media for crime-related information sharing, assessed the influence of social media–based information on crime prevention efforts and security response effectiveness, and examined the challenges limiting its effective use. The study was anchored on Routine Activity Theory, which explains crime occurrence in relation to motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the presence or absence of capable guardians. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. The population comprised of adult residents, police officers, vigilantes, and forest guards within Dekina Local Government Area. A sample of 274 respondents was selected using multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and Key Informant Interview and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics through tables and percentages, Pearson Product–Moment Correlation, and regression analyses. The findings revealed a strong positive relationship between social media use and crime prevention (r = 0.642, p < 0.05). Simple linear regression showed that social media–based information significantly predicted crime prevention effectiveness (R = 0.711; R² = 0.505; F = 269.517; p = 0.000), while multiple regression indicated that associated challenges significantly affected effectiveness (R = 0.689; R² = 0.475; F = 79.213; p = 0.000). The study concluded that social media enhances digital guardianship and strengthens community-based crime prevention, though constrained by misinformation and infrastructural deficits. It recommended institutional integration of community digital platforms, capacity building in social media intelligence, and strengthened verification mechanisms to optimise security outcomes.