An Assessment of the Impact of Security Challenges and Recreationist Perceptions in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47514/kjg.2026.08.01.021Keywords:
Security Challenges, Recreational Activities, Risk Perception, Urban Safety, Kaduna MetropolisAbstract
Recreational activities play a crucial role in promoting physical, social, and psychological well-being, but insecurity can significantly limit public engagement in leisure spaces. This study examined the relationship between security challenges and recreationists’ perceptions in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria. Specifically, the study identified the major security challenges affecting Kaduna Metropolis and examined the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of recreationists regarding insecurity. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, with data collected from 354 respondents using structured questionnaires administered across major recreational centers. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results revealed a statistically significant difference across the five security groups, with an F-value of 3.45 and a p-value of 0.009, indicating that recreational development varies depending on the type of security challenge experienced. Post-hoc analysis further showed that respondents exposed to theft reported higher levels of recreational development compared to those experiencing more severe threats, such as armed robbery, banditry, and kidnapping. Also, One-Way ANOVA examining recreationists’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions produced an F-value of 13.72 and a p-value of 0.000, confirming that differences in awareness and attitudes significantly influence recreational choices. These findings suggest that insecurity in Kaduna Metropolis poses significant challenges to recreational activities, consistent with the Risk Perception Theory, which explains behavioral changes among residents and visitors. Perceptions of risk associated with theft and armed robbery influence decisions to avoid public spaces and reduce engagement in leisure activities. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the government, in collaboration with security agencies, intensify efforts to address the root causes of insecurity, including unemployment and poverty, while enhancing surveillance, rapid response mechanisms, and community policing initiatives.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mustapha Muhammad Sani, Joseph David Ariko, Yahya Saleh Ibrahim, Bashariya Baba Mustapha (Author)
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