Skill and Challenges of Community Policing in Nigeria’s Rural Locales

A Study in Crime Control

Abstract

The study examined community policing practices and the skill and challenges in crime control in rural locals of Central Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to determine how inadequate training affects vigilantes’ ability to detect crime and interrogate victims effectively in communities where formal policing is weak. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and 250 structured questionnaires were administered using a multistage sampling technique to select respondents across the six Local Government Areas of Central Senatorial District of Cross River State. Out of the total questionnaire administered, 230 were properly completed and retrieved, representing a response rate of 92 percent and information therein was used as a basis for analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and the Chi-square (χ²) test to determine the association between training and crime detection; training and victim interrogation. Findings revealed that lack of proper training significantly hampers vigilantes’ crime detection capacity, leading to reliance on rumor, suspicion, and arbitrary arrests rather than evidence-based methods. Similarly, inadequate training in victim interrogation was shown to result in hostile questioning and victimization of suspects. The Chi-square results confirmed a statistically significant association between training and both crime detection and victim interrogation (p < 0.05). The study concludes that vigilantes remain central to providing rural internal security in Cross River Central, but their effectiveness is undermined by training deficits. It recommends the introduction of structured capacity-building programmes, collaboration with formal police agencies, and the establishment of policy frameworks to professionalize grassroots policing for improved crime control and community trust.