Homicide in Western Nigeria

Trends and Patterns of Homicides Arising From Interpersonal Violence in Nigeria (2006-2016)

Despite the considerable shift that has been recorded in the dimension and patterns of violence involving individuals in primary group relationships in Nigeria, available scholarly research on the phenomenon has been largely narrow with the majority concentrating on spousal abuse. To fill this gap, this study examined the incidence of homicides arising from interpersonal violence between 2006 and 2016. The descriptive design was employed, and social disorganization theory was adopted for its conceptual framework. Data were generated from the content review of a corpus of some Nigerian newspapers' coverage on cases of interpersonal violence that resulted into fatalities. Findings revealed that 516 cases of homicide occurring in a wide range of contexts were recorded in Nigeria between 2006 and 2016. Although instances of violent deaths due to interpersonal violence were recorded in all years considered, we found that the highest share (37%) of the fatalities occurred in 2012. Also, the majority of homicides (58%) due to interpersonal violence occurred in the South-West region. A multilayered approach involving relevant stakeholders is advocated as way of successfully containing the problem.

A developing world perspective on homicide and personality disorder

High rates of psychotic disorder among special populations of homicide offenders, females, youth and the mentally disordered, have received much investigation. Personality disorder, especially antisocial personality disorder, augments the relative risk ratio of violence, especially in combination with substance use disorder. Few studies of these correlates of violence and especially homicide have been reported in low- and medium-income countries (LMIC). Using the structured clinical interview for DSM diagnosis (SCID), personality disorders were identified in a cross sectional study involving 546 homicide offenders in Jimma prison, Ethiopia. Predictors of personality disorder were determined using multivariate analysis of various demographic and clinical variables, for example, age, psychiatric history and substance use. Out of the 316 offenders who completed the SCID, only 16% fulfilled DSM IV criteria for personality disorder. The rationale for killing, self-defence, anger and revenge (52% of offenders), planning involved in offending (50%) and reasonably high level of relationship functioning (57% married) were different from most data from the high-income countries. Diagnostically relevant cultural factors in LMIC, not in play in high-income countries, may explain the differences in personality disorders similar to other mental disorders and the underlying mediators of homicide.

Pattern of homicide coroner's autopsies at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria: 1997-2006

There is relatively little information regarding the pattern of homicides in developing countries such as Nigeria. This study is aimed at determining the pattern and demographic factors associated with homicide cases seen in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. It is a descriptive autopsy study of homicide cases seen at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan over a 10-year period from January 1997 to December 2006. All the coroner's autopsies for the period, of homicides or suspected homicides, were reviewed with emphasis on the following: gender, age, occupation, circumstances surrounding event, likely motive, type of weapon used, site(s) of injury and mechanism of death. Homicides accounted for 153 (3.1%) of the 4928 coroner's cases at the UCH within the study period. One hundred and thirty-seven of the 152 cases were men, and the overall age range was 4-83 years. The mechanism of death was haemorrhagic shock in 91 cases (59.9%); severe raised intracranial pressure in 58 cases (38.2%); septicaemic shock in two cases (1.3%); and asphyxia in one case (0.7%). Gunshot injuries accounted for 64.5% of the fatalities, sharp objects 21.1% and blunt force 14.5%. Most were victims of armed robbery attacks. The head, abdomen, chest and lower limbs were single sites of injuries in descending order of frequency and most of the cases sustained multiple injuries involving two or more of these sites. Gunshot deaths were the commonest form of homicides in the period under review. Young males and victims of armed robbery attacks were most susceptible.

The relationship between the rate of homicide by those with schizophrenia and the overall homicide rate: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

It is widely believed that the rate of homicide by the mentally ill is fixed, differs little between regions and is unrelated to the total homicide rate.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies conducted in developed countries of homicide committed by persons diagnosed with schizophrenia.

FINDINGS

We found that rates of homicide by people diagnosed with schizophrenia were strongly correlated with total homicide rates (R=0.868, two tailed, P<0.001). Using meta-analysis, a pooled proportion of 6.48% of all homicide offenders had a diagnosis of schizophrenia (95% confidence intervals [CI]=5.56%-7.54%). Rates of other homicides did not contribute to the heterogeneity in the proportion of homicides committed by those with schizophrenia (slope=-0.055, P=0.662).

CONCLUSIONS

Homicide rates by people with schizophrenia are associated with rates of all homicides. It is therefore likely that both types of homicide have some common etiological factors. Accordingly, measures to reduce the likelihood of a person committing homicide during a psychotic illness should not only attempt to optimise treatment, but include attention to those factors associated with an increased risk of all homicides, such as improving the social circumstances of disadvantaged patients, treating substance abuse and reducing access to weapons.

Psychoactive substance abuse among inmates of a Nigerian prison population

The objectives of the study were: (1) to assess the prevalence rate of psychoactive substance use and dependence among inmates of a Nigerian prison population within the past month; (2) to highlight how aware these prisoners were, of the various drugs of abuse; (3) to compare the findings with those of reports from abroad, and general Nigerian population samples. In mid-1995, 395 subjects (97.5% males, mean age 30.5 years) were interviewed, with a questionnaire that contained DSM-III-R criteria for dependence. About two-thirds were those on remand or awaiting trial, and the majority (70%) were accused of theft and armed robbery. Compared with Nigerian general population samples, the cohort had much higher prevalence rates of awareness and life-time use of psychoactive substances. Cannabis was the only drug regularly abused in the past month, by 26 (6.6%) subjects (all males); out of whom 11 (42.3%) satisfied DSM-III-R criteria for dependence. Use of intravenous drugs was not evident. This pattern differed markedly from the situation in industrialised countries. Cannabis abuse was significantly associated with those in prison for less than six months and on a charge of theft/armed robbery.

A survey of the psycho-social aspects of murderers in Iran

The psycho-social aspects of 72 murderers (one female, 71 males) were studied. The murderers came from the Khoozestan and the Lorestan provinces of Iran. One of them had been transferred from the north of Iran (probably on exile). The murderers were mostly from lower social classes and crowded homes. The majority of them had worked as unskilled labourers or farmers. A great number of them regretted their action but a few were proud of what they had done. They believed that they had saved the chastity of their family which is very important in Islam. None of them were epileptic nor had any history of it. Four claimed to be nervous. Eight were alcoholics and three were addicted to drugs. One of them was suspected of having manic-depressive psychosis and only one had paranoid schizophrenia. The female and four of the males were psychopaths.

Psychiatric aspects of homicide

Homicide is frequently associated with mental illness and suicide. The present study is an investigation of all known homicide incidents in Iceland during the past 80 years (1900-1979). There were 45 homicide incidents, involving 52 victims and 47 offenders. One-third of the perpetrators were either psychotic, mentally subnormal, or committed suicide. A further one-third were diagnosed as personality disordered, alcoholic, drug dependent or neurotic. A substantial proportion of the offenders suffered from fairly marked physical disabilities, and the mentally ill were significantly more frequently afflicted by such defects. Over 60% of the offenders and 50% of the victims were under the influence of alcohol at the material time. The findings are generally consistent with those of previous psychiatric studies of homicide.

Some clinical aspects of criminology: a study of criminal psychiatric patients at the Lantoro Psychiatric Institution

Mentally ill criminals at Lantoro Institution (an annex of Aro Neuropsychiatric long-stay Hospital, Abeokuta, Nigeria) were studied. Thirty-six (67.9%) of the 53 patients had committed homicide while 11 (22.7%) had been involved in other offenses against the person. Forty (75.5%) of the 53 patients were diagnosed as schizophrenic patients with the paranoid subtypes predominating. All the 10 epileptics had committed homicide whereas the few cases of organic psychosis had committed less grievous offenses such as disorderly behaviour and stealing. In comparison with the civil (voluntary) admissions to the institution, a greater percentage of the involuntary patients (mentally ill criminals) were found to have lost social contacts especially with their key relatives. Some of the factors thought to be responsible for this phenomenon were the long duration of hospitalization and the social implications of the offenses committed. Measures for rehabilitating the mentally ill criminals in Nigeria were suggested.

Violence and mental illness in a peasant society: characteristics of violent behaviours and 'Folk' use of restraints

Thirty-five people labelled as baa (crazy or insane) were studied in Laos--a country without psychiatrists or psychiatric institutions. Informant information was obtained for violence prior to becoming baa, violence during the course of their baa condition, and violence during the seven days prior to interview. Observation for violence was made for a one day period at the time of the interview. Use of restraints was also assessed. Subjects were significantly more apt to have assaulted others, posed a risk to themselves, and been restrained (although not incarcerated) during their baa condition as compared to their previous state. Those in early stages of their condition (two years or less) manifested more violence than those later in their condition. 'Folk' use of restraints was applied only after dangerous or violent behaviour had occurred. Restraints were released as soon as practicable, but there was an 'ascending' use of certain restraint measures if violence persisted.

A survey of criminal homicide in Nigeria

Reports on 500 cases of murder were extracted from the case records of the Federal Supreme Court of Nigeria. Offenders were nearly always men and the victims were males in 64% of cases. The weapons were most often machetes or cutlasses. The killer and the victim were often related or were friends; only 8% were strangers. In 42% of cases, financial motives were involved.

Homicide in the West of Scotland

Between 1953 and 1974 the author made psychiatric examinations for the prosecution of 400 persons, 367 males and 33 females, accused of the murders of 307 victims, 194 males and 113 females. The 367 males were accused of 273 murders, 172 male and 101 female victims, and the 33 females were accused of 34 murders, 22 male and 13 females victims. The salient features amongst the accused were maleness, youthfulness, the causal importance of alcohol, the rarity of suicide after murder an the high percentage of psychiatrically normal persons: in these last two respects the picture differed from that reported in England and Wales. The normality of these Scottish accused was further shown by the finding that in the decade 1965 to 1974 no material psychiatric abnormality was seen in 90 per cent of the males examined.

A factor-analytical study of depression across cultures (African and European)

In a factor-analytical study of depression across two cultures, African and European, certain similarities and important differences were found. Depression in African cultures presented principally as depressed mood, somatic symptoms and motor retardation. In European cultures depression presented with depressed mood, guilt, suicidal ideas, motor retardation or anxiety. Both groups lost interest in work and the environment. Guilt and suicidal ideas and acts are uncommon in African sample, and appear to be culturally determined.