Beyond Formal Policing: The Security Role of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Cross River State

This study interrogates the growing relevance of informal policing in Nigeria, with particular focus on the role of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in addressing security challenges in Cross River State. The objective is to examine the contributions, effectiveness, and community perceptions of vigilante activities within a context marked by the limitations of formal policing institutions. The study is anchored on Social Contract Theory and Community Participation Theory, which together provide a robust framework for understanding state responsibility, citizen involvement, and the legitimacy of community-driven security arrangements. Adopting a descriptive research design, the study relies exclusively on secondary data drawn from peer-reviewed journal articles, textbooks, and credible documentary sources. The analysis is qualitative and exploratory, involving critical content evaluation and synthesis of existing literature to generate contextual and analytical insights. Findings reveal that vigilante groups play a significant role in neighbourhood surveillance, intelligence gathering, rapid response, and social regulation, thereby complementing formal policing efforts. Community perceptions are largely positive, driven by accessibility and effectiveness, although concerns about accountability persist. The study concludes that informal policing remains indispensable in the local security architecture and recommends its institutionalisation through structured regulation, training, and strengthened collaboration with formal security agencies.