PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF PRIVATE SECURITY OUTFITS IN CRIME CONTROL IN AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the perceived effectiveness of security outfits in crime control in Awka, Anambra State. 200 participants were selected for the study using convenience sampling technique. A researcher self-made instrument of 20 items was used to elicit information from the respondents. The descriptive statistics was used in analyzing data collected. The research focus on the challenges militating against the effectiveness of private security outfit in Anambra State. The rising incidence of crime such as kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, terrorism, human trafficking among others has demonstrated that police have failed in providing the required protection for the citizens. The work argues that the apparent inability of the police to adequately provide protection for all the citizens provided the nucleus for individual to search for alternative security which birth the emergency of private security companies in Nigeria. The results revealed that private security outfits played critical roles in ensuring security, thereby complementing the efforts of the police. The result also showed that some of the challenges include but not limited to lack of firearms, lack of supervision and inadequate training of the personnel. The study recommends among others establishment of a security institute, improved synergy with the state security actors and government recognition/regulation of the private security sector.