A Study on the Strategies Used by Villante Group in Combating Kidnapping: A Study of Doguwa Local Government Area, Kano State

The phenomenon of kidnapping is one of the significant issues posing a security threat to the safety and well-being of the people in many parts of Nigeria. The study, therefore, examined the strategies used by vigilante groups in combating kidnapping in Doguwa Local Government Area through the specific five objectives, which included analysing the nature and rates of kidnapping in Doguwa LGA, to examine the strategies used by a vigilante group in combating kidnapping; to assess the achievements of vigilante groups in combatting kidnapping, to identify the challenges faced by vigilante group in combating kidnapping and to suggest possible ways of improving the strategies used by vigilante group in combating kidnapping. Rational Choice and Routine Activity theories were reviewed and adopted as the theoretical frame of reference for the study. A survey research design was adopted using 420 respondents drawn from the total population. Multi-stage cluster sampling, purposive, availability, and snowballing sampling techniques were utilized. A Structured questionnaire, In-Depth Interview (IDI), and Key Informant Interview (KII) guides were used for the data collection. The study found that neighborhood watch, surveillance, community participation, foot patrol, and roadblocks for stop and search are the strategies used by vigilante groups. It is also revealed that the vigilante group recorded some achievements through attack reduction and arresting over 20 suspected kidnappers in the area. The study also showed that lack of weapons, communication gadgets, modern facilities, workforce, motivation, and poor funding, as well as illiteracy, are the challenges affecting vigilante groups. The study recommends that the provision of modern facilities, recruitment of more vigilante members, education of vigilante groups, and eradication of corruption among vigilante members could be possible ways of improving the strategies of vigilante groups combating kidnapping in Doguwa. The study further recommended the need for community (religious and traditional) leaders to be fully involved in supporting the activities of vigilante groups through public awareness and enlightenment on the importance of community participation in improving the security of lives and properties of people living within the community.