The Nigeria Police: An urgent need for reform

The Nigeria Police came into existence in 1879. However, the first national Nigeria Police Force (NPF) came into being when the northern and southern regional police forces were merged in 1930 to form the colony’s first national police. Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution clearly spelt out the functions and responsibilities of the police. Despite its long existence, the Nigeria Police has a history of being unprofessional and corrupt.

While many of its officers have conducted themselves in exemplary manners, working in difficult and often dangerous conditions, the general feeling among Nigerians is that the police force has utterly failed to fulfill its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and properties. Police men in Nigeria are seen more as predators rather than protectors.

The failure of the police to perform its most basic functions has undermined security and the rule of law in Nigeria. This has led to agitations and suggestions for police reform across the board. For any meaningful reform to take place there must be a political will from the very top. The Nigeria Police must take responsibility and initiate a process that reflects a change of policing philosophy as captured in a landmark 2012 civil society panel on police reform report.

So far, the Nigerian government and the police leadership appears to lack the political will to address structural problems, follow through on reform initiatives, and implement effective police oversight and accountability. Considering recent happenings in the police, it is now the time for the federal government of Nigeria to rise up to the occasion and urgently position the Nigeria Police Force as a service delivery organization that is not only competent, transparent and trustworthy, but also respects human rights and works in partnership with the community. Such change should form the foundation upon which a new Nigeria Police should stand.

For a long time now, the Nigeria police have been allegedly associated with brutality, partiality and all kinds of vices that have rendered it ineffective in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities. There are allegations that its operatives often use force beyond the boundary permissible by law, infringing on the rights of innocent civilians and causing a lot of harm in the process. Recently, the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) led to nationwide protests that rocked the entire country to its very foundation. That was a reflection of people’s perception of the police.

The Nigerian government and the police leadership should acknowledge many of the problems of the institution and follow that up by launching police reform initiatives, increased funding to the police force and improve the wages of its personnel. Public complaint mechanisms, internal police controls, and civilian oversight should be strengthened.

The National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies should improve transparency and accountability in the police force by ensuring effective coordination of oversight mechanisms. Erring Police personnel, especially those that are involved in extortion, corruption, robbery, drugs and human rights abuses should be investigated and prosecuted without delay.