Leveraging Geographic Information System (GIS) for proactive campus security: A spatiotemporal analysis of crime hotspots at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Ensuring campus security is paramount for higher education institutions, particularly in regions like Nigeria where pervasive insecurity necessitates a shift from reactive to proactive safety measures. This study addresses the critical gap in data-driven campus security by employing Geographic Information System (GIS) methodologies to analyze crime patterns at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) from 2017 to 2022. Reported crime data, acquired from the OAU security department, revealed annual crime rates per 1,000 inhabitants of 3.62 (2017), 3.94 (2018), 5.11 (2019), 1.4 (2020), 3.23 (2021), and 4.62 (2022). Theft constituted the majority of reported incidents, predominantly in academic areas and halls of residence. Spatial autocorrelation analysis using Global Moran's I confirmed significant positive clustering of crime incidents across the campus (p < 0.05 for all distance bands), indicating that crime is not random. Hotspot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) identified critical high-crime areas including Fajuyi Hall, Awolowo Hall, Post Graduate Hall, Oduduwa Lecture Theater, Admin Extension, Sport Center, and the Banking Area, while the Maintenance area was identified as a cool spot. These findings underscore the effectiveness of GIS in pinpointing specific vulnerabilities, enabling university management to implement targeted, evidence-based interventions for enhanced security. The study advocates for a proactive, spatially-informed approach to campus security, offering a replicable framework for similar institutions facing evolving security challenge