Community Policing

By Garba Sidi 

Hadejia, one of the 27 local government areas in Jigawa State, Nigeria, is renowned for its vibrant population and bustling business activities. With an estimated population of over 200,000 people, Hadejia stands as the largest local government in the state in terms of both population and economic activity.

However, recent events have cast a dark shadow over this once-thriving community. Between March 8 and March 13, 2025, five lives were tragically lost in a series of violent incidents, including the death of a newlywed bride. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety and security of the people of Hadejia.

Peace, safety, and security are fundamental pillars of any thriving society. Without these elements, communities cannot prosper, and individuals cannot lead fulfilling lives. The recent surge in violent crime in Hadejia, fueled by the availability of drugs, toxic chemicals, and the proliferation of weapons among youths, threatens the very fabric of this community. It is imperative to urgently address these issues to restore peace and ensure the safety of all residents.

The incidents that occurred between March 8 and March 13, 2025, illustrate a grim picture of the current state of affairs in Hadejia. On March 8, a political argument between two young men escalated into a physical altercation. One individual used a pair of scissors to stab his opponent in the stomach, resulting in his death. This tragic event highlights the dangerous consequences of unchecked aggression and how easily conflicts can turn fatal.

On March 9th, two youths engaged in a playful yet dangerous game involving sticks. What started as a harmless activity quickly escalated when one of the youths was struck in the head, resulting in his death. This incident highlights the need for greater supervision and guidance for young people, who may not fully comprehend the potential consequences of their actions.

On March 10th, another fight broke out between two friends in a different neighborhood. The altercation ended with one friend killing the other, further emphasizing the volatile nature of interpersonal relationships in the community. The following day, on March 11th, a mechanic was brutally attacked in his home in the NTA quarters. The assailant used a large knife to fatally wound the mechanic, leaving the community in shock.

The most heart-wrenching incident occurred on March 13th, when a newly married woman, barely five months into her marriage, was found dead in her home with her throat slit. This heinous act has left the community in mourning and raised questions about the safety of women and the prevalence of domestic violence.

The rising rate of violent crime in Hadejia can be attributed to several factors. One of the primary issues is the lack of economic opportunities and the inability of many families to provide for their children. In a community where large families are common, parents often struggle to meet their children’s basic needs. This lack of resources can lead to frustration and desperation among young people, who may resort to crime as a means of survival.

Another significant factor is the widespread availability of drugs, marijuana, and other harmful chemicals. These substances are easily accessible to teenagers and young adults, who often use them as an escape from their harsh realities. However, using these substances can lead to impaired judgment, increased aggression, and a greater propensity for violence. The combination of drugs and readily available weapons, like knives and scissors, results in a dangerous environment where conflicts can quickly escalate into deadly confrontations.

To address the rising tide of violence in Hadejia, it is essential to implement a multi-faceted approach that tackles the root causes of the problem. One potential solution is for the government to create additional administrative divisions within the town. By decentralizing governance and bringing it closer to the people, the government can improve the delivery of essential services, enhance security, and foster a stronger sense of community responsibility.

Furthermore, parents and community leaders must adopt a more active role in overseeing their children’s activities. This involves closely monitoring their associations, ensuring they are not engaging in criminal activities, and providing the guidance and support necessary for making positive life choices. Family planning is equally important; parents should be encouraged to have only as many children as they can adequately support, both financially and emotionally.

Finally, the recent surge of violent crimes in Hadejia serves as a stark reminder of the significance of peace, safety, and security in any society. Without these fundamental elements, communities cannot flourish, and individuals cannot lead fulfilling lives. 

It is the responsibility of the government, community leaders, and parents to collaborate in addressing the root causes of violence and fostering a safer, more prosperous future for the people of Hadejia. By implementing proactive measures, such as establishing additional administrative divisions, encouraging family planning, and cracking down on the availability of drugs and weapons, we can begin to restore peace and security to this once-thriving community.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Community Policing is a strategy that focuses on developing relationships with community members. It is a highly personal philosophy of full-service policing in which an officer patrols the same area for some time and develops a partnership with citizens to identify and solve problems.

Community Policing came to Nigeria in 2004. The main aim of launching the pilot scheme was to bring the police closer to members of the public and, by extension, get prompt information that the earlier concept of this initiative resulted in the formation of vigilante groups in communities and cities across the country, ostensibly to combat rising crime waves in the face of the police’s inability to deal effectively with armed robbery and other violent crimes.

Examples of such operations include Civilian JTF in Borno State, Amotekun in Lagos State, Zemda Initiated by Zazzau Emirate, and police constabulary in some of the majority parts of the Nigerian police headquarters and divisions across the nation.

The question here is, in whose interest is Community Policing? People have different views on the question above, and their answers vary based on their perceptions. Some see it as in the government’s interest, some in the community’s interest, and some in the interest of both parties (government/community).

Firstly, the side of the community will have a more favourable view of their local police department in the sense that they will be able to check the activities of the police department with the help of the newly emerging community police. It is believed that the Nigerian police force often releases or cooperates with criminals. 

Secondly, on the government side, it will help collect more accurate information from residents regarding criminal activity in the community. Many public safety agencies use technology to engage their residents better and boost their community Policing initiatives. 

Implementing community policing will change the policing structure and management. The partnership that develops over time can help the police discover the underlying causes of crime within the neighbourhood. By involving the community, the police have more resources to assist in crime prevention. Officers who familiarise themselves with community members are more likely to obtain valuable information about criminals and their activities.

Some of the benefits of community Policing in Nigeria include: 

First and foremost, community Policing provides an expanded Outlook on crime control and prevention. Working together, the community and the police would proffer solutions to incessant crimes and insecurity. 

Similarly, community Policing improves the quality of life of everyone in a community and helps police work more efficiently and effectively in curbing the outbreak of crime in a community.

Since the implementation of community Policing in 2004, has this policy had any implications (positive or negative)? Given the nation’s current situation, we can say that the policy has achieved nothing because the level of crime is constantly increasing and penetrating all the nooks and crannies of the nation.

Community policing can only be developed in Nigeria if the government and politicians stop using it to achieve their goals. Members must undergo physical and excellent selection before joining vigilante groups, and the community must support the people who sacrifice themselves for it.