COMMUNITY POLICING AND CRIME MANAGEMENT IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA, 2014 – 2023.

Abstract

xHigh level of crime and insecurity in Nigeria general and Anambra state in particular is a serious challenge to the security of lives and properties of the citizens as well as the progressive transformation of the state socially and economically despite the availability of the formal or regular police to take care of the challenges. The work examined the effectiveness of community policing initiatives in crime control and prevention across the communities of Anambra state from 2014 – 2023. The basic objective of the study was to ascertain the contributory roles of community vigilante groups in effective crime management in Anambra state. The study employed both primary and secondary data in effort to get an indepth insight into the phenomenon under investigation. The primary data were generated through responses to a structured questionnaire instrument. Secondary data were generated from books, articles, periodicals and journals. Simple percentages were used in the analysis of data retrieved from primary sources while qualitative method of analysis was employed in the analysis gotten through secondary sources. The study employed George J. Thompson’s Gap theory as its theoretical framework. The study found out that political interference whereby politicians use vigilante groups for personal advantages, social and economic factors which include poor salary, poor working security materials, inadequate trainings were some factors hindering the performance of vigilante groups in the state. Based on these findings, the study recommended improved salary, adequate selection, screening of members of vigilante groups, provision of adequate modern security materials for enhanced performance in crime management and public safety.