Spatial Analysis of Crime Incidents in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. Kyegh F. Aov 1* , Inah Okon 2 , Chukwudi G.Njoku 3 Kyegh A. Thaddeus 4 , Salemkaan A. Iorkua 5 , Tokunbo Olorundami 6 , and Ibiang J. Lekam 7 * Corresponding author: kyeghfateraov@yahoo.com (+2347064926352) 123567 Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria 4 Department of History, Federal University Lafia, Nassarawa State, Nigeria 5 Department of Geography, Benue State University, Benue State, Nigeria. Abstract: The problem of crime has always posed not only a big threat to the society and people but have also raised great concerns all over the world. The crime-problem in Makurdi metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria within the past few years has been systematic with increased occurrences of various crimes. The goal of this study was to assess the occurrence and distribution of crime in Makurdi metropolis. Attribute and spatial data were considered for the research. Attribute data were obtained from police incident files while the spatial data were gotten from field work. The application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in crime analysis has changed the principles in mapping crime and lessened the stress involved in determining crime patterns and trends. The distribution of crimes and the variation of crime occurrences within the 5 police divisions were assessed, with B Police Division recording the highest crime incidences. Also, crime hotspots in the area were determined. The one way Analysis of Variance analysis showed statistically significant difference in the distribution of crime incidents among the 5 Police jurisdictions (F(4, 100) = 3.767, p = 0.007). Further analysis revealed that theft, culpable homicide and robbery recorded the highest incidents in that order within the 5 years considered in the research with 155, 97 and 73 cases respectively. The study recommended presence of security agents at the crime hotspot areas deduced, formation of GIS departments in all police stations to aid crime analysis, patrol teams should be equipped with GPS devices for rapid response to distress calls and flexibility in jurisdictional policing. Keywords: Crime incidents, Geographic Information System, Police Division, crime distribution, Makurdi Presented at the 58 th Association of Nigerian Geographers Annual Conference 12 th – 17 th March, 2017 Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State , Nigeria 1.0 Introduction Crime is an age long issue dated back to the early times of man, documented in various historical scripts such as the Bible. The rate at which crime escalates in the world today raises questions as to what the situation would be like, if urgent preventive and controlling measures are not sustainably and effectively enforced. Despite the measures employed in tackling crime, its occurrence is still recurrent in villages, towns and cities all over the world, especially in the developing climes which lack modern technology and equipment to check the spade of crime and violence. The problem of crime, criminal behavior or unlawful behavior has always posed not only a big threat to the society and people but have also raised great concerns. Its prevention in the society cannot be over emphasized. Dambazau (2007) defined crime as an act or omission against public interest and which is prescribed by law enacted by the legislature in the overall interests of the society, and to which prescribed punishment is attached in the event of violation. Crime is also seen as a violation of the rules agreed to be respected by all members of the society, and upon which the rest members of the society mete sanction upon those guilty of the violation. It is for the same reason that the legal system views crime as a public and moral wrong