THE IMPLICATIONS OF CYBER-CRIME ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF MAIDUGURI METROPOLIS, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

Idris Mu’azu, PhD
Volume 5 Issue 1

Abstract

This study examined the implications of cyber-crime on socio-economic development of Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno state. The objectives of the study were to examine the causes of cyber-crime in Maiduguri, Borno state; ascertain the types of cyber-crime perpetrated in Maiduguri, Borno State; and examine the effect of cybercrime on education, employment, and business activities in Maiduguri, Borno state. The study were guided by the risk societies and space transitions theories. According to the risk society theory, advancements in contemporary technology have drastically affected socioeconomic growth by generating a risk society that affects governments, businesses, and people. The idea of space transition contends that the cybercriminal's decision to conduct cybercrime is fueled by factors such as dissociative anonymity, identity flexibility, and a lack of deterrents. The study adopted survey method of data collection using questionnaire as the instrument. Sample sizes of one hundred (200) respondents were selected from for the study but only one hundred and ninety-four (194) were found useable for analysis. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage tables. The findings revealed that unemployment, poverty, lack of e-policing, and quest for wealth are the causes of cyber-crime in Maiduguri, while ATM pin fraud, bank account hacking, fake bank alert, and child pornography are the forms of cyber-crimes committed. Other findings indicated that cyber-crimes has affected education, employment, and business activities in Maiduguri Metropolis. The study recommends that individuals need to observe simple personal safety rules such as not disclosing to strangers their banking details such as credit card pins, bank account numbers, e-mail codes and use of antivirus on their systems against malware etcetera as this would go a long way in minimising or completely eradicate the menace of cyber-crimes in Maiduguri Metropolis. Keywords: Cyber-crime, Implications, Socio-economic development, Maiduguri.

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