COMMUNITY POLICING PARTNERSHIP AND CRIME MANAGEMENT IN MARARABA TOWN, KARU LGA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA
Ijeoma, Favour Benjamin , Ishaya Leku Daniel, PhD and Sarkinnoma Y. Sabo PhD
Volume 14 Issue 1
Abstract
This study examined the influence of community–policing partnerships on crime management in Mararaba Town, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Anchored on Social Capital Theory and Routine Activity Theory, the research adopted a descriptive survey design with a sample of 364 respondents drawn from five stakeholder categories police officers, PCRC members, vigilante operatives, community leaders, and adult residents using Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) sample size table. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire with a response validity rate of 95.87% (n = 349) and analyzed using frequency distributions, Pearson product–moment correlation, and simple linear regression via SPSS v27. Results indicated that joint patrols and intelligence sharing are the most effective collaborative mechanisms. Community involvement was found to significantly predict policing effectiveness (R = .348, R² = .121, F(1, 347) = 44.544, p < .001), while the direct correlation between community policing partnership and crime management was not statistically significant (r = −.081, p = .338). Major barriers included lack of trust (32.95%), inadequate logistics (36.67%), and fear of reprisal (32.66%). The study recommends institutionalized partnership programs, regular capacity training, public awareness campaigns, and structured incentive schemes to strengthen community–police collaboration and improve crime management in peri-urban Nigerian communities. Keywords: Community Policing, Crime Management, Police–Community Partnership, Social Capital, Routine Activity Theory
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