Rural communities in Nigeria, particularly in Benue State are increasingly confronted with escalating security challenges. Hence, the formation of “AnyamNyor”; a non-conventional security organization which Is one of the strategies to control crime in the state. This study assesses rural crimes, the role of Anyam Nyor in crime control within rural communities in Benue State, community perception, operational strategies, challenges and possible collaboration with formal security agencies in enhancing rural security in Nigeria. The study was anchored on the social control theory and theory of hybrid security governance. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design, using structured questionnaire as its primary data collection instrument for the study of 308 respondents sampled. Findings of the study revealed that Anyam Nyor plays a meaningful, but not a dominant role in rural crime control in the state.

However, AnyamNyor enjoys significant trust and perceived effectiveness among rural communities in Benue.The study recommended among others that Government and other stakeholders should develop a coordinated framework for collaboration between Anyam Nyor and police or other formal security forces to ensure comprehensive and sustainable crime control in the rural area of Benue State.