COMMUNITY-BASED VIGILANTISM AND GRASSROOTS SECURITY: ASSESSING INFORMAL SECURITY STRUCTURES IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Vigilante groups have become central actors in grassroots security provision across Nigeria, particularly in regions where limited state capacity and rising insecurity create governance vacuums. This study examines the structure, effectiveness, and governance of community-based vigilantism in Enugu State, drawing on a mixed-methods design that integrates household surveys (N = 408) with twelve key informant interviews involving vigilante leaders, traditional authorities, market representatives, and police officers. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted using SPSS, while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis. Findings indicate that vigilante groups play a critical role in crime prevention through night patrols, intelligence gathering, and rapid community response, with effectiveness perceived highest in rural areas where formal policing is weakest. Community trust in vigilante actors was moderately high and strongly correlated with perceived operational performance, though concerns about human rights violations and political interference persist. Collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force was found to be informal, inconsistent, and hindered by legal ambiguities and limited training. Operational challenges—including inadequate equipment, insufficient funding, and exposure to high-risk situations—further constrain effectiveness. The study concludes that while vigilante groups are indispensable to local security architecture, their long-term legitimacy and contribution to safety depend on structured regulation, standardized training, improved oversight, and formalized collaboration with state security institutions. Policy recommendations include establishing a comprehensive legal framework, enhancing material support, integrating vigilantes into community policing initiatives, and strengthening community-based accountability mechanisms. The study contributes to contemporary debates on hybrid security systems and offers empirical insights relevant for security sector reform in Nigeria and comparable contexts.