COMMUNITY-BASED SECURITY AND RURAL CRIME CONTROL IN NIGERIA: EVALUATING AMOTEKUN'S ROLE IN EKITI STATE

Rising insecurity in Nigeria's rural communities has exposed the limitations of the country's centralized policing system, prompting the emergence of community-based and regional security initiatives. One of the most prominent responses in Southwestern Nigeria is the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun. This study examines the role of Amotekun in rural crime control in Ekiti State, with particular emphasis on kidnapping, banditry, and related forms of insecurity. Anchored on Social Control Theory and Community Policing Theory, the study adopts a descriptive research design to assess Amotekun's operational effectiveness, community engagement, and institutional challenges. Data were collected from a sample of 300 respondents comprising Amotekun operatives, Nigeria Police Force officers, community leaders, and rural residents across selected local government areas in Ekiti State. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed, using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings reveal that Amotekun has contributed significantly to improving rural security in Ekiti State through intelligence gathering, increased patrol presence, deterrence of criminal activities, and effective collaboration with formal security agencies. The proximity of Amotekun operatives to local communities enhances trust, rapid response, and crime detection, particularly in remote and forested areas. However, the study also identifies major operational challenges constraining Amotekun's effectiveness, including inadequate funding, insufficient training, lack of modern equipment, political interference, and public skepticism. The study concludes that while Amotekun has played a vital complementary role in mitigating rural insecurity in Ekiti State, its long-term effectiveness depends on improved funding, professional training, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, technological support, and stronger community trust. Strengthening these areas will position Amotekun as a more sustainable component of Nigeria's evolving security architecture. Keywords: Amotekun, Community-Based Security, Rural Crime Control, Kidnapping and Banditry, Community Policing, Insecurity, Ekiti State