CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Adolescence is a developmental transition between childhood and adulthood. It is the period of puberty until full adult status is attained. Dorn and Biro (2011) defined adolescence as the period in human growth and development that occurs after childhood and before adulthood, from ages 10 to 19. It represents one of the critical transitions in the life span and is characterized by a tremendous pace in growth and change that is second only to that of infancy. The biological determinants of adolescences are fairly universal; however, the duration and defining characteristics of this period may vary across time, cultures, and socio-economic situations (Dorn & Biro, 2011).
Most secondary schools students are in the adolescent stage. The adolescent has needs and problems that arise from organic, psychological and social pressures. These pressures in turn exert influences on them, which make them exhibit behaviours that are not in consonance with societal norms leading to delinquency (Onyejiaku, 1991). According to Isangedighi (2008), delinquency is a behaviour that involves retraction from rules that govern behaviour among adolescents. Delinquency on the whole is not an easy concept to define due to it complex characteristics. However, delinquency has been from time immemorial a social evil. These delinquent behaviours consist of acts that violate the laws of the society.
Delinquency has been variously portrayed and defined as a condition of drift, maladjustment, pathology, disturbance, moral depravity and unruly behaviour (Alemika ,et al 2001). Alemika further contributed that the definition of juvenile delinquency as well as concern about its manifestation, and control are influenced by a configuration of historical, political, social and economic conditions. Therefore, juvenile delinquency is broadly defined to any act in violation of criminal law, committed by a person defined under law as a juvenile, which if had been committed by an adult will be treated as crime or criminal conduct (Muncie, 1999). Alemika et al (2001) define Juvenile as the violation of the criminal codes regulating the behavior of young persons in the society. Juvenile crime is usually termed delinquency (Jayamala 2008). In addition, Onyehalu (2003) argues that any departure from the accepted norms by people who are not yet adult is delinquency. However, Bingham; Shope, and Raghunathan (2006) refer to such behaviours which are socially proscribed or prohibited as problem behaviours.
Any behaviour that falls short of societal norms, values, beliefs and expectations are undesirable behaviours (Okorodudu & Okorodudu 2003). Juvenile delinquency is noted by Ekojo and Adole (2008) as gang delinquency. Okorodudu (2010) further defines gangs delinquent as a group of adolescents and youths that exhibit criminal behaviour. Deliquent behaviour could exist in different forms or patterns. Patterns of delinquent behaviours refer to forms or practices in which adolescents’ delinquency exists. It means different ways by which delinquent behaviour manifest in the dealings and activities of adolescents.  For example, Sanni, Nsisong, Abayomi , Modo and Leonard  (2010) associated adolescents’ delinquent behaviours to vandalism, drug abuse, weapon carrying, alcohol abuse, rape, examination malpractices, school violence, and bullying, cultism, truancy and school drop-outs and so on. Onyejiaku (1991) stressed that delinquency covers an enormous rage on crime including felonies such as robbery, assault or misdemeanors such as loitering and behaviours that are illegal.
Eke (2004) categories delinquent behaviours into two, that which frequently feature across towns and cities in Nigeria. These are Criminal and Status offences. The criminal offences include stealing, arson, rape, drug offences and murder, burglary, pick pocket, and armed robbery. However, she listed status offences to include; running away from home, malingering and truancy. On the global scale, Armando (1989) classified youth gangs or delinquency into four types: criminal, conflict, retreatist, and cult/occult gangs.
Criminal gangs have a primary goal, that is, material gain through criminal activities such as theft of property from people or premises, extortion, fencing, and drug trafficking. Conflict Gangs engage in violent conflict with individuals of rival groups that invade their neighbourhood or commit acts that they consider degrading or insulting. Retreatist gangs focus on getting “high” or “leaded” alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, heroin or other drugs. Individuals tend to join this type of gang to secure continued access to drugs. Cult/Occult Gangs engage in devil or evil worship cult which refers to systematic worshipping of evil or the devil; occult implies keeping something secret or hidden or a belief in supernatural or mysterious powers.
Similarities in the basic characteristics of juvenile group behaviour are found in almost every class and cultural context. Juvenile peer groups are noted for their high levels of social cohesiveness, hierarchical organization, and a certain code of behaviour based on the rejection of adult values and experience. The subcultural aspect of juvenile group activities is rarely given the attention it deserves (The World Youth Report, 2003). Different juvenile groups adopt what amounts to a heterogeneous mix, or synthesis, of predominant (class-based) values, which are spread by the entertainment industry, and intergenerational (group-based) values, which are native to the family or neighbourhood. Subcultures can be defined as particular lifestyle systems that are developed in groups and are in structurally subordinate positions as a result of pressure exerted by the predominant systems (The World Youth Report, 2003).