The Effectiveness of Community Policing in Reducing Crime in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, South West Nigeria

This study assesses the effectiveness of community policing initiatives in reducing crime rates in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. Ibadan, as one of the largest cities in West Africa, faces complex urban security challenges including armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and drug-related offences. Drawing on community policing theory and recent security governance literature from 2020 to 2024, the study adopts a descriptive survey design. A sample of 240 respondents comprising police officers attached to community policing units, community development association leaders, Amotekun operatives, and neighbourhood residents is selected through purposive and convenience sampling across six police divisional areas in Ibadan. Structured questionnaires and focused interviews are employed for data collection. Data are analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. The study expects to find that community policing programmes have improved police-community relations and early crime intelligence sharing but are undermined by inadequate resourcing, officer corruption, poor community trust due to historical police brutality, and insufficient integration with formal criminal justice processes. Findings will provide evidence-based recommendations for reforming community policing practice in Nigerian urban environments, focusing on training, oversight, and inter-agency coordination. Keywords: community policing, crime reduction, urban security, Ibadan, Oyo State