This paper examines the roles of Community Watch Corps in combating banditry in Malumfashi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. The objectives of this paper are to assess the roles played by the Community Watch Corps, to identify the strategies used in preventing bandit attacks, and to examine the challenges affecting their performance. The paper adopts Routine Activity Theory and Social Control Theory as its theoretical framework. The population of this study comprised residents of Malumfashi as well as relevant security personnel. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents were selected as sample size through simple random availability and purposive sampling techniques while ten participants (10) were interviewed through in-depth interviews. Primary and secondary sources of data were utilized with questionnaires and interview guides serving as instruments for data collection. The paper found that Community Watch Corps play crucial roles in preventing bandit attacks apprehending suspects safeguarding communities and protecting lives and property. It also found that their effectiveness is enhanced through strategies such as arrest intelligence gathering neighborhood watch and the timely handover of suspects to the police. Furthermore, the paper revealed that inadequate funding poor welfare political interference personnel shortages and weak community support hinder their performance. The paper therefore recommends adequate funding improved welfare structured training community partnership and stronger government support as essential measures for addressing banditry in Malumfashi and similar communities.
Keywords: Banditry, Combating, Community Watch Corps, Roles, Security.
Article-2-Abba-et-al