Abstract:
Security challenges is one of the major social problems confronting
not only Sokoto Metropolis or
Nigeria in general, but most of the third
world countries and some other parts of the world. Street children are
often found to be active participants in most of the social uprisings that
were witnessed in some parts of Nigeria, particularly Sokoto metropolis.
The quest to find out why and how the number of street children is
increasing and how it affects the level of security prompted the conduct
of this research work. In the course of the research, qualitative research
technique was adopted. Focus Group
Discussion and key informant
Interviews were the methods through which data were gathered. The data
were presented in narrative form (prose style) whereas content analysis
was used in the interpretation of the data. Social disorganization theory
was used in as the theoretical framework. The research work found
poverty, unemployment and poor and inadequate learning facilities as the
major contributors to the escalating number of street children. In the
course their day to day activities, the street children w
ere found engaging
in some delinquent activities such as theft, smoking and sexual practices
etc. during any social upspring, they were found to be active participants
and consequently, increase the rate of material and human damages. It
was also found that solutions to the increasing number of street children
revolve around family, community and government efforts. The
researchers recommended employment generation, less family reliance
on children and formulation of some welfare policies as the solutions to
the increasing number of street children and their implications generally.
