Socialization Patterns and Juvenile Delinquency in Maiduguri, Borno State

The protracted insecurity generated by the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State has profoundly disrupted the socialization environments of children and adolescents, creating conditions that research suggests are conducive to juvenile delinquency. This study examines the relationship between disrupted socialization patterns and juvenile delinquency in Maiduguri, Borno State. A descriptive survey design was employed, with questionnaires administered to 350 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years across five secondary schools and two internally displaced persons camps on the outskirts of Maiduguri. Supplementary interviews were conducted with ten social welfare officers and eight community leaders. The Social Control Theory was applied as the primary theoretical lens. Findings reveal that 62% of respondents in IDP camp settings reported having witnessed violence during displacement, compared to 21% in school-based samples. Delinquent behavior including theft, gang membership, and school truancy was significantly higher among respondents who had experienced prolonged displacement and family separation. Weakened family bonds, collapsed community surveillance systems, and reduced school attachment were identified as the primary disrupted socialization mechanisms linking conflict exposure to delinquency. Access to a trusted adult mentor reduced delinquency odds by 44% in the sample. Religious education attendance was a protective factor among non-IDP youth. Recommendations include urgent investment in structured psychosocial programs for conflict-affected youth, reconstruction of community youth development infrastructure in liberated areas, and restoration of school attendance incentives for IDP adolescents. Keywords: juvenile delinquency, socialization, Maiduguri, conflict, IDP youth.