IMPACTS OF COMMUNITY SECURITY OUTFIT AND SECURITY EDUCATION ON COMBATING CRIME IN AKOKO AREA OF ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The persistent rise in criminal activities in Akoko Area
of Ondo State, Nigeria, has created an urgent need to
explore alternative strategies for enhancing community
safety. The research therefore, aims to assess public
perceptions of community policing and security
education, the relationship between community security
outfits and the local populace, and the effectiveness of
these measures in crime prevention. The study employed
a descriptive survey design, it used a sample of 250
participants from Akoko Area, selected through simple
random sampling. Data collection was carried out
through structured questionnaire. The data collected
were analysed using descriptive statistics, including
frequency and percentages. Findings indicated that the
people's perception on the impacts of community
policing was high (XG = 3.63), people's perception on
the impacts of security education was high (XG = 3.78),
meeting among various community security outfits and
the people in the implementation of community policing
was moderate (XG G = 3.01). Based on the findings, it
was therefore recommended among others that
community-led security initiatives should be establish
to empower communities to develop and manage their
own security outfits, fostering ownership and
accountability. Security education should be integrated
into school curriculum; teach security awareness, safety protocols, and crime prevention strategies to
students, equipping them with essential life skills.