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Abstract
This study investigates Community Vigilante Groups and Human Rights Violations in Enugu State (2015–2024), focusing on the rising involvement of non-state security actors in community protection and the human rights concerns associated with their operations. The study adopted the ex-post facto research design, supported by the Noble Cause Corruption Theory, which explains why security actors justify unlawful actions as necessary for public good. This study adopts a mixed method of data collection that includes questionnaires, interviews, academic publications, NGO reports, newspaper documents, and human rights records. Findings revealed that the roles of community vigilante groups, particularly in arrest operations, patrol activities, and dispute interventions, have significantly contributed to extrajudicial actions, including torture, forced confessions, unlawful detention, and mob-style executions. The study recommends the strengthening of legal frameworks guiding vigilante operations, professionalisation and standardisation of the Neighbourhood Watch structure, adoption of human-rights-compliant operational codes, enhanced protection for journalists and human rights monitors, and the implementation of inclusive security frameworks aligned with national gender policies. These measures are essential for balancing community-based security with respect for human rights and the rule of law in Enugu State.