ABSTRACT

The act of crime is a universal phenomenon and it does no one any good. This study will look at this ugly thread in the present Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria to find out the role the church has to play to curtail the increase. The aim was to propose possible measures churches need to put in place to reduce the rising tide of crime. During the course of this study, primary and secondary sources were employed. The study observed that crime in recent time in Onitsha is necessitated by the increase in unemployment rate among the youths which increased as a result of the Covid -19 pandemic, the insecurity in Northern Nigeria which has put firearms in wrong hands, corruption and lack of democratic dividend, injustice and marginalization among others. In the midst of these scenarios, the church as an institution within the society has to take proactive measures among her members through proper sensitization, education, and different welfare programmes that will help people to gain skills and opportunities that will make them earn a meaningful living.