Institutional Failure, Cause Of Corruption In Nigeria Police -Expert

The Technical Adviser to the Inspector-General of Police, Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, says institutional failure is partly responsible for most ‘corrupt‘ practices in the Nigeria Police Force.
Ogunsakin said this in a paper he presented at a three-day workshop on “Strategic Policing Development in Nigeria’’organised for senior police officers yesterday in Abuja.
According to him, until this area of human needs is thoroughly overhauled, officers will continue to bring the name of the force into disrepute and under performance.
Ogunsakin said that the institutional structure for service delivery in the police was weak and runs at the whims and caprices of individuals.
He noted that this was responsible for disregard for existing systems, processes and procedures in the force.
The technical adviser said that there was a strong operational and administrative need to remodel and reposition the force to increase its accountability and transparency.
Ogunsakin called for review of the rank structure and corresponding roles and responsibilities for personnel of the police for operational needs.
The adviser noted that the measure alone would increase visibility and start the process of restoring public confidence, trust and reducing cutting crime.
Ogunsakin said that one major challenge for the police was their inability to ensure sufficient capacity and capability to meet demand.
He said that the workshop would assist the new police management to formulate reform agenda for the force.
“You do not discharge your responsibilities well when you don’t know what your responsibilities are and how to discharge them,’’ he said.
Some participants who spoke with newsmen said that the workshop would enhance the operations of the police.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Abuja, Mr Godwin Nwobodo said the workshop would enable the force develop new strategies and policies to enhance their operations.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police in Delta, Mr Anthony Ogbizi, said that the workshop would enable them identify existing loop holes in their operations.
“By identifying these new gaps, it will enable us to correct some of the things that we overlook,’’ he said.