Challenges Of Effective Policing In Nigeria

The Nigeria Police
Force (NPF) for decades has faced numerous challenges and factors militating against active and effective discharge of its functions to the society. The challenges and factors are more pronounced now than before when the dignity and respect a policeman used to enjoy have been removed from him. The typical authority of the policeman is no longer there.
In those days when the force was known till when it became the Nigeria Police Force, the average police constable commanded some level of dignity, even with a baton as a weapon in his or her possession. It got to a point that even when two people had some misunderstanding they resolved their differences upon sighting a policeman. That was how the police were respected and feared. They had strong influence on the society.
On the other hand, if the feuding parties failed to settle, the police constable would intervene and address the matter appropriately in line with the law. However, today that has changed as the mere mention of the police attracts ridicule and shame. Law enforcement agents have mortgaged their consciences due to corruption and all manner of vices that plague our society. This trend has eaten deep in our security agents.
Without mincing words, gone were the days when suspects were bailed from detention without financial gratification before they were charged to court. Today, bail is no longer free. Suspects, who refused to ‘roger’ the police, are treated as though they were convicts.
The primary responsibility of the police is the protection of lives and property. But the police have utterly failed in this respect. And so the confidence the public should have in the institution, has gone sour. The extortionist tendency of the force has pitted it against the masses, the same people that ought to be protected by the force.
It was for this reason that the current Inspector-General of Police IGP, Mohammed Abubakar, banned check points nationwide soon after he assumed office. Although, the ban curtailed the extortion perpetrated by the police, it has not solved the problem of the force. Corruption in the force has sent many people to their untimely graves.
The corruption in the force which the IGP has partially succeeded in curbing on our roads, can now be found at the police stations. Complaints at the stations are usually followed by demands for money else the complainant will be denied action.
The Nigeria Police Force has gone down so badly that it needs reformation. Not the usual one we know of, but a very special type of reformation. To this end, I suggest a proper training and re-training of our policemen and women in the country. Such training should enable them to act professionally in line with global standard of policing.
Also, the moral and academic qualification for entry into the force should be raised and properly enforced. This suggestion should be preceded by the total overhaul of the existing force with the intention of flushing out bad eggs.
The federal government which owns and controls the police force should act now to save it before the force becomes irreclaimable.

Ominyanwa is a public affairs analyst.

Goddy Ominyanwa