Thursday, 13 May 2021: The Police is one of the important agencies in maintaining law and order in Nigeria. They are closer to the public than every other law enforcement agency, Police roles can be linked with all segments of “group social interactions.”
According to the Nigerian Police Act of 1979 the Police Force is structured to detect and prevent crime, to apprehend offenders, to protect lives and properties, and to enforce law and order in Nigeria.
The Police force is faced with a lot of challenges preventing them from performing their roles effectively. The Nigerian government in 1990s and 2000 to 2003 have made several efforts to reform the Police and to address some of these problems, yet no significant improvement has been made.
CEOAFRICA checks indicated that the Nigerian Police Force has been carrying out their duties with poor infrastructure and obsolete facilities; they operate under insufficient fund, insecurity, and fragile institution, which has exposed them to attack from lawbreakers, who are well equipped
Poor delivery of service by Police officers has destroyed Police confidence.There is need for the Nigerian Police to be provided with adequate facilities for effective delivery of service, which will lead to a reduction in crime. Lots of fund need to be channeled into policing in Nigeria, because basic infrastructure and equipment is lacking in many Nigeria Police stations.
CEOAFRICA investigations revealed that “Fingerprint searching and matching is done manually on paper cards using hand-held magnifying glass in Nigeria Police stations and the paper is kept in old filing cabinets. Even in some big cities in Nigeria, there is no computerized fingerprint database. Most officers buy their own uniforms and allowances are paid very late, if it will be paid at all.”
These factors are enough to hinder the Nigerian Police force from performing their roles effectively. So many report and investigations had been carried out on the unlawful activities of the Police but not so much have been done to inquire why these things are being done by them.
The fact that crime rate and corruption is on the rise has made the duty of the Police a more complex one. In the midst of increasing crime rate and lawlessness, the Police is still involve in collection of bribes and tips. This situation depicts the Police to “negative image” and “negative sanctions”, especially in Nigeria, where Police’s image is an open scandal of corruption.
In the past one decade, insecurity has become an issue and a big threat in Nigeria with rate of killings and banditry on the rise, this is a call to the Nigerian government and concerned government agencies to take a bold step and ensure that the affair of the Police and other security agencies in the country is well taken care of and rejig when necessary.
Observers are of the view that catering for the welfare needs of security agents would reduce crime rate to the barest minimum in the country.
It is also important that the police desist from all forms of activities that could mar their image, diminish public trust and increase crime rate.
Succinctly, a lawyer and retired Commissioner of Police, Samuel A. Adetuyi, urged Policemen; “To continue to handle the security needs of the nation, even in the face of apparent neglect by government and hostility by the citizens adding that they must appreciate that as a Policeman, their role in the society is a noble one albeit thankless.
“Although it may not make you a President, Senator, Governor, billionaire, or even confer any special status, advantage or recognition on you, it will make you happy in retirement if you endeavor during your service years to stand with justice and fair play.
“You can then look back with contentment and joy at your modest and positive contribution to your country through the Nigeria Police Force. Therefore, in all your actions particularly in the cause of your duties, and particularly now in Nigeria, your focus must be to make crime less attractive and its commission more cumbersome for perpetrators.”
