IMPACT OF VIGILANT GROUP ON COMMUNITY SECURITY: A STUDY OF TIRWUN COMMUNITY BAUCHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAUCHI STATE

ABSTRACT The impact of vigilante groups on community security: a study of Tirwun, Bauchi State Nigeria inability of the Nigerian Police to control the increasing wave of crime has led to proliferation of vigilante groups in community security in Bauchi local government area. Thus, this study was initiated to examine the impact of vigilante groups in community security within Tirwun, Bauchi State Nigeria. This study is a quantitative method, as descriptive survey design was used to select some of the respondents. A total of 204 respondents were sampled using structured questionnaires. Frequency distribution table and simple percentage was used to analyze the demographic information of the respondents, and the research question was answered using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The result indicated that, the Nigeria police is ineffective with regard to community security and vigilante groups in its current form sprang up to make up for this ineffectiveness. It also showed that vigilante groups are gaining prominence as agents of crime control in contemporary Nigeria, particularly, Tirwun. The result equally revealed that vigilante group members are recruited and monitored through their communities and that they are effective in crime control. Also, the result indicated that the best way of solving the problem of crime in Nigeria is by increasing the activities of vigilante groups. However, lack of fire arms, poor funding and lack of patrol vehicles are the major problems confronting vigilante groups. More so, based on the major findings, it was recommended that vigilante group members should operate within the frame work of law. Finally, security committees should be established at the local government level and these committees should meet periodically to discuss security matters in their areas. (Keywords): Community security, Crime control, Grassroots security, Law enforcement challenges, Security committees and Vigilante groups