The Role of Vigilante Service Groups in Crime Control for Sustainable Development in Anambra State, South- East Nigeria

Abstract

The study accessed the place of informal policing structures in crime control for sustainable development in AnambraState. The cross sectional survey design was adopted in the study. A total of 600 respondents, aged 18 and above wereselected for the study. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in data collection. Descriptive statistics such asfrequencies, percentages and bar charts were used to analyze data. Findings of the study indicate that socio-culturalfactors like the inability of the formal police to adequately and effectively control crime necessitated the formation ofinformal policing structures. Also, results show that the informal policing structures are significantly accepted as agentsof crime control in the communities wherein they exist. The study recommends that for sustainable development to beachieved, crime and criminality will have to be effectively tackled through a synergistic relationship between thevigilante service groups and the formal police. It is also recommended that the vigilante service groups are providedwith adequate funds and equipments so they can discharge their responsibilities adequately.