THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY POLICING IN ENHANCING PEACE AND SECURITY IN BWARI AREA COUNCIL, FCT

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study The idea of community policing has been steadily gaining global recognition, especially in the 21st century. However, its foundational principles are neither foreign nor new to the African context. In traditional African settings—such as pre-colonial Igbo society—there was no distinction between societal roles and law enforcement or crime prevention. Policing responsibilities were inherently shared by the community as a whole due to the absence of formal institutions exclusively dedicated to crime control. A well-known proverb, “elders do not allow a goat to suffer in the forest,” captures this communal obligation. Specifically, institutions such as age-grade groups and masquerade societies were at the forefront of maintaining order and combating criminal behavior. All adult males in Igbo communities were members of these groups, reinforcing the notion that every community member had a stake in preserving law and order (Aniche, 2018). The advent of European colonial rule brought a significant transformation, replacing indigenous systems with a colonial policing model that was detached from the communities it served. This alienation continued into post-independence Nigeria, leading to deepening public mistrust of the police. The growing reliance on vigilante groups for security reflects this breakdown in trust. In an effort to reform, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) began sending officers abroad—for example, to the United Kingdom in 2003—to learn community policing strategies with the hope of adapting these practices domestically. However, Nigeria’s low Human Development Index (HDI) poses substantial challenges to the implementation and success of these strategies. As noted by Nnoli (2020), "national security" encompasses both the physical protection of individuals, groups, or states and the safeguarding of their essential values. Security, therefore, implies a condition where individuals live without fear, danger, or threat. Depending on a state's overarching goals, security approaches may vary in their focus and timeframe. The state bears the primary responsibility for maintaining law and order and safeguarding lives and property. This responsibility is often executed through various state agencies, including the police, military, and intelligence services. Despite the efforts of these agencies, particularly the police, to ensure public safety and peace, Nigeria continues to face a rising wave of insecurity. Issues such as armed robbery, kidnapping, human trafficking, assassinations, terrorism, and militancy are increasingly widespread (Osakwe, 2019). Undoubtedly, insecurity remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, especially in the past decade. This situation is troubling considering the government's constitutional duty, as outlined in the 1999 Constitution, to protect its citizens (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2018). By 2009, the World Economic Forum had ranked Nigeria among the 15 most vulnerable nations globally (Sunday Nation, 2019; Ocholi, 2019). This ranking not only confirmed the deteriorating state of internal security but also highlighted the government’s weakening capacity to deliver on both security and developmental fronts—despite substantial budgetary allocations for these purposes (Njoku, 2020; Newswatch, 2019). Given this background, this study seeks to explore the concept of community policing and its role in fostering peace and security within the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 1.2 Statement of the Problem The notion of community policing is not new or alien to Africa. Prior to European colonization, African societies operated traditional systems of self-regulation and security (Akuul, 2020). However, these indigenous systems were replaced by colonial policing structures that were disconnected from the people. This disconnect carried into post-independence Nigeria, deepening the mistrust between the public and the police. Rather than engaging the community as partners in policing, the Nigerian police have adopted a top-down approach, further alienating citizens (Garba, 2019). This has led to poor public cooperation, severely undermining the Nigeria Police Force's (NPF) ability to manage crime and security challenges. As a result, communities have turned to vigilante groups and local militias to fill the gap. Unfortunately, the tension and lack of coordination between these groups and formal police units have worsened Nigeria’s security crisis (NPF, 2017). So far, the current model of community policing in Nigeria has not significantly contributed to national peace, security, or development. Insecurity and criminality continue to hamper community progress, despite research acknowledging the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies (NPF, 2017). Consequently, this research aims to assess the effectiveness of community policing in promoting peace and security in Bwari Area Council, FCT. While similar studies have been conducted in other regions, this particular study focuses on Bwari and aims to compare its findings with those of previous research to enrich the overall discourse on the subject. 1.3 Objective of the Study The main aim of this study is to investigate the role of community policing in enhancing peace and security in bwari area council, FCT. The specific objectives are to: i. Assess the level of awareness of community policing among residents of Bwari Area Council. ii. Identify the challenges that hinder the success of community policing in Bwari Area Council. iii. Explore the ways in which community policing can contribute to peace and security in the area. iv. Determine effective strategies for building community support for community policing in Bwari Area Council. 1.4 Research Questions The following research questions guide the study: i. To what extent are the residents of Bwari Area Council aware of the existence of community policing? ii. What challenges hinder the implementation of community policing in Bwari Area Council? iii. How can community policing promote peace and security in Bwari Area Council, FCT? iv. What methods can be used to build support for community policing in Bwari Area Council? 1.5 Research Hypotheses The study proposes the following hypotheses: H01: The level of awareness of community policing among residents of Bwari Area Council is low. H02: Community policing does not significantly promote peace and security in Bwari Area Council, FCT. H03: Residents of Bwari Area Council do not support community policing initiatives. 1.6 Significance of the Study This study is significant for several reasons. It will inform the Nigerian government about how deeply crime has permeated societal structures. It will also help the Nigeria Police Force understand the necessity of working collaboratively with local security bodies to foster safety and peace. Furthermore, the study recommends the establishment of a specialized unit within the police force dedicated to community policing. In addition, the academic community will benefit from this research, as it contributes to the existing body of knowledge and literature on community-based security approaches. 1.7 Scope of the Study The scope of this research is limited to Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory. It examines the level of awareness among residents regarding community policing, identifies challenges facing community policing efforts, investigates its potential to enhance peace and security, and explores how public support for such initiatives can be strengthened. 1.8 Limitations of the Study As with many research endeavors, this study faced some challenges. Financial limitations affected the researcher’s ability to access extensive materials, literature, and data collection tools such as online resources, questionnaires, and interviews. This necessitated the adoption of a moderate sample size. Additionally, time constraints posed by the need to balance academic responsibilities with the study itself also restricted the duration of research efforts. 1.9 Definition of Terms Community Policing: A policing strategy that involves assigning officers to specific areas to build relationships with local residents and collaboratively address security issues. Peace: A state characterized by the absence of disturbance, violence, or conflict; tranquility. Security: The condition of being protected against threats, danger, or harm.