Nigerian police force: A force for good or evil

The Nigerian Police Force, which was established by Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) has given lots of people concern as to what their real nature is. A closer examination below will reveal that the police is even confused as to their identity and duties. While they sing the clichéd jingle that the “police is your friend”, historical and current reality posits that the police is the direct opposite. They use “force’’ to terrorise innocent lives and perpetuate indescribable evils in the society. Thus, scholars like Prof G.O.S Amadi (of blessed memory) have canvassed that rather than been called Nigerian Police Force, they could be called Nigerian Police Service or simply Nigerian Police. Amadi thinks a change of name could possibly lead to a change in mentality. This is doubtful.

The general duties of the police are provided for in Section 4 of the Police Act. Contrary to their functions, the Police have suomotu vested themselves with the power to enforce contract and collect debts. This illegality has continued despite several judicial pronouncements-Ken Mclaren& ors v James Lioyed Jennings (2003) NWLR (pt 808) 470, Oceanic Securities International Ltd v. Balogun (2012) All FWLR (Pt. 643) page 1907- declaring their act to be void and ultra vires their enabling statute.

Rather than help protect Human Rights, they are one of the key violators of such rights. The way they treat suspects in custody, and even complainants is well known. Lawyers unfortunately are not spared from their brutality; several of them have been threatened and beaten by the police for trying to protect the interest of their clients.

Also rather than serve as efficient propellers in the criminal justice sub-system of the country, they are a big clog; improper and distorted documentation makes prosecution of offences difficult if not impossible. Also, the way they treat rape victims and battered wives leaves one stunned as to their professional competence.

In the area of elections, the law and indeed the courts in a plethora of cases like, Yussuf v. Obasanjo(2005) 18 NWLR (Pt 956) 96 Buhari v, Obasanjo(2005) 50 WRN 1, have declared that the maintenance of peace and order during election is the duty of the police and not the military, one would have thought that these cases would have enhanced the ego of the police force but it only exposed their incompetence because leaving elections in the hands of the police is akin to asking a child to watch over a violent criminal.

The police have become so spineless that even bus drivers and conductors respect the touts and “agberos” more than the police. In fact, in many instances, the “agberos” are more capable of maintaining “law” and order in the public parks.

Rather than protect the general populace, we see tons of policemen serve as orderlies, drivers and guards to public officers and the elite of society thereby leaving the common man unprotected.

In the area of corruption, the issue can’t be over flogged. Right from the apex of the police hierarchy to the newest officer, there seems to be an official bilateral agreement between the Nigerian Police Force and Corruption. The case of Tafa Balogun can attest to this. While growing up, I knew policemen used to take bribe clandestinely. I thought this was because apart from knowing that it was shameful, they realised that if caught they would be disciplined. But in the past years even with the coming of President Buhari clothed in his anti-corruption toga, our policemen have been unperturbed. They collect bribe with pride and authority. Despite video footages of policemen caught taking bribes, we haven’t heard of any disciplinary measure taken against them. Probably that is why they are not discouraged. This gives credence to my earlier assertion that corruption has signed a bilateral agreement with the Nigerian Police Force.

The Nigerian police just have a knack for doing the exact opposite of what they are expected to and paid to do.

My interest in the police was recently aroused by the public announcement that the Police is embarking on a recruitment of 10,000 policemen. Although my mind immediately imagined having additional 10,000 terrorizers in an already terrorized and traumatized Nigeria, on a second thought, I thought of this being another opportunity where we can get things right by way of proper recruitment and training of our policemen and women.

Unfortunately this does not seem to be the focus of the authorities. The Presidency is more interested in creating jobs thereby satisfying one of the President’s numerous campaign promises while the concern of the Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Dr Shettima Abba, is more interested in ensuring that the federal character is reflected and adhered to. Thank goodness, the Ministry of Women Affairs did not clamour for 35% women representation. No one, as yet, seems to be bothered as to how this new crop of officers would be formed to reflect what a country’s police force ought to be.

We need a police force that is humane, a police force that realises that a gun in its hand doesn’t him/her the right to use it against innocent civilians at will or at little provocation. Rather it is meant for the protection of the civilian population (in civilised societies not all policemen have guns and even the ones that have guns don’t brandish it on civilians faces), a police force that will realise that the country is governed by laws which binds all and sundry including the police force; a police force that has capable, intelligent and specialised officers to handle complex and technical aspects of modern day policing duties. We need a police force that will be 100 efficient and not only when someone important is affected. We need a police force where discipline of erring officers is taken seriously.

This is my expectation for the police force and this change process can be started with the 10,000 new police men. Then they will really be our friends and their “force” will ultimately be used for the common good.

Joshua Nwachukwu