Title: Assessing the Effectiveness of Vigilante Groups in Reducing Crime Rates In Jalingo Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria
Authors: Abigail Embwa Moses, Andeskebtso Yohanna Adaki, Mohammed Idi
Volume: 9
Issue: 4
Pages: 315-320
Publication Date: 2025/04/28
Abstract:
: This study investigates the effectiveness of vigilante groups as grassroots security actors in reducing crime rates in Jalingo Local Government Area (LGA), Taraba State, Nigeria. Amid rising urbanization and escalating crime, the formal security apparatus often faces capacity challenges, prompting the emergence of community-based crime control mechanisms. Anchored on Social Control Theory and Routine Activity Theory, the research adopts a descriptive survey design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A sample of 392 respondents, drawn through multi-stage and purposive sampling across ten administrative wards of Jalingo LGA, provided insights via structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Findings reveal that vigilante groups play a critical role in crime deterrence, rapid response to incidents, and fostering community trust, especially in high-risk areas. Respondents overwhelmingly affirmed reductions in theft, burglary, and street violence, alongside a perception of improved safety and confidence in vigilante efforts compared to formal police structures. However, the study also identified key operational challenges, including inadequate funding, lack of formal training, and legal ambiguity surrounding vigilante operations. Despite these constraints, vigilante groups remain indispensable agents of local security, leveraging their cultural embeddedness and community familiarity to bridge policing gaps. The study concludes that optimizing their impact requires formal recognition, structured training, and enhanced logistical support. It recommends coordinated partnerships between vigilantes and official security agencies to institutionalize community policing as a viable strategy for combating crime in Jalingo and similar urban-rural settings across Nigeria.