A Case For Nigerian Police

The former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu recently made a case for the Nigerian Police.

In his speech during a two-day  National Conference on Corruption and National Security in Nigeria organised by the Institute for Anti-corruption Studies of the University of Abuja, he called for proper  funding of the Nigeria police because of its strategic  position in tackling major challenges facing the country, especially corruption and insecurity, noting that these challenges can hardly be tackled without massive investment in the police.

Could Ribadu have spoken the minds of many people who think that Nigerian police deserve more attention? The answer is yes.

A few  weeks ago, the Inspector-General of Police,  Mohammed Abukakar, during  a visit to Niger State Governor, Dr Babangida Aliyu, accused  the 36 State governments of the federation and the local government areas of not contributing  to the  special police fund approved by the Federal Executive Council and the National Council of States.

He further  revealed that only the Federal Government had been contributing to the fund meant  to ensure adequate funding of the force.

Most times, people accuse the police of being incompetent and inefficient without considering the constraints they face.

Recently, a man whose vehicle was snatched  by armed robbers dialed a police number he  had and  the person at the receiving end sympathised with him and told him to bring a vehicle to the police Station to pick the police officer who would go after the armed robbers.

The man was mad with the police and accused them of being lazy, incompetent, and many more. But looking at the case critically, one will see police force that is handicapped and almost frustrated. The policeman was willing and ready to go after the armed  robbers but there was no operational vehicle  to be used.  He probably wouldn’t even  have a gun that could in any way measure up with that of the robbers. It will not be surprising if there were no  walkie talkies in the police station which necessitated  the request for a vehicle instead of circulating the information via walkie talkies,  telephone or other communication gadgets.

Nobody is disputing the fact that the police have some flaws like unlawful arrest, bribery, ineptitude, brutality, constant failure to fish out criminals,   embezzlement  and many more which  incidentially is the problem of almost the entire Nigerian society, but they deserve  commendation for the sacrifices they make for the nation.

Just  last Friday, 12 policemen serving with the Bayelsa Command were killed by suspected militants in Bayelsa waterways, while in active service. Since the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, unleashed a reign of terror in  the country particularly the northern region in 2009, thousands of policemen have lost their lives. Those spared by Boko Haram were caught up in protests and communal clashes often witnessed in some parts of the country.

Day after day, policemen are on duty ensuring orderliness on the road. But  for personal security and protection provided  by the police, many people, especially those from the south  wouldn’t  be passing nights in their villages.

Incidentally, despite this sacrifice, many of them do not have conducive  places to lay their  heads or  relieve their tiredness.  A visit to barracks across the country will reveal to one the pitiable, horrible conditions Nigerian policemen live in.

A few days ago, 721 policemen  and their families at the Central Police Station, Police Area Command, Onitsha were rendered  homeless following the demolition of their buildings and shops by the Anambra State Police Command.

Although the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Balla Nasarawa described them as illegal  occupants, many, especially the affected  policemen see the action as a sign of insensitivity on the part of the police.

In January,  President Goodluck Jonathan  paid a surprised visit to police college, Ikeja, Lagos and was shocked to see poor  state of the institution –facilities that have fallen  into disrepair, beds without foam, filthy bathrooms. The question asked  by many Nigerians who watched the  visit on television  stations was, if the corporate life officers in training could be that filthy, how can the curriculum and other training logistics be tidy? How  can policemen trained  under  such unfriendly, unhealthy  environment be friendly to the public?

So, the issue boils down to government   at all levels taking the issue of the police force  seriously. Government should stop paying lip service to security issues by taking the  bull by the horns by adequately funding the police. To overcome  the security challenges  currently facing the nation, the Federal  Government should increase the funding  of the police. Attention  should be  paid to the welfare of the police,  especially the rank and file. They need to be well motivated  for them to render the expected service to the country.

Calista Ezeaku