CHALLENGES OF COMMUNITY POLICING IN MAINTAINING INTERNAL SECURITY IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examines the challenges confronting Community Policing (CP) as a strategy for maintaining internal security in Plateau State, Nigeria.  Factors such as recurrent violence, banditry, kidnapping, Fulani herdsmen terrorism, cattle rustling, political/elite interference, land-grabbing incidents, ethno-religious conflicts, weak collaboration between conventional security and community members, poor funding, among others, continued to undermine effective CP practice in Plateau State. The study adopted qualitative research approach, covering Bassa, Bokkos and Wase Local Government Areas (LGAs), as one LGA is carefully chosen in the three Senatorial Districts of Plateau State. KII and FGD are employed as instruments for data collection; with 9 key informant interviews conducted, that comprises of critical stakeholders such as traditional rulers, Fulani Ardos, heads, spokespersons of security agencies, and experts in CP vis-à-vis Internal Security Management (ISM); and 3 Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in each LGA, consisting of farmers, herders, and local security organisations. Both primary and secondary sources of data were utilized. The Key Informant Interview (KII) and FGD constitute the primary source, while relevant literature from journal articles, government reports and online materials used as secondary source. Thematic and content methods of analysis were employed in analysing data. The study finds that there is a significant trust deficit between communities and formal security agencies, which undermines intelligence sharing and weakens the effectiveness of CP initiatives. The findings also reveal that institutional and operational constraints; particularly inadequate funding, poor logistics, insufficient training, and weak inter-agency coordination; limit the capacity of CP structures to respond effectively to security threats. The study concludes that although CP remains a promising framework for improving internal security, its success in Plateau State is hindered by deep-rooted structural and contextual challenges. To address these gaps, the study recommends the establishment of a robust legal and institutional frameworks that clearly defines roles, ensures accountability, and regulates the activities of community-based security actors. The paper also suggests that a sustained investment in capacity building, logistics, and trust-building initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration between communities and formal security agencies.