The Roles of Community Policing and the Management of Insecurity in Kaduna: An Assessment of Vigilante System in Sabon-Gari LGA Zaria

Abstract

This study examines the role of community policing in managing insecurity in Kaduna State, with specific focus on vigilante systems in Sabon-Gari Local Government Area, Zaria. The rising insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Northern regions, has necessitated the involvement of informal security actors such as vigilante groups due to perceived inefficiencies of formal security institutions. The study adopts a survey design with a population and sample size of 62 vigilante members across Sabon-Gari (15), Samaru (10), Muchia (10), Gwongila (7), Grace Land (10), and Angwa-Maigodo (10). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings reveal that vigilante groups significantly contribute to crime detection, intelligence gathering, and community surveillance, though constrained by poor funding, inadequate training, and lack of formal recognition. The study concludes that community policing enhances grassroots security but requires institutional support for effectiveness.