Curbing the excesses of the police force

The police force is assigned the primary duty of law enforcement and order maintenance. But the content of law and what constitute order vary widely across time and nations, and are determined by the political economy of societies. The concrete roles played by the police are defined by law and conception of order in accordance with the political and economic interests of the dominant or ruling groups in society. By maintaining order and enforcing law in consonance with the principles and practices of a democratic society, police will foster entrepreneurial initiative and public safety, which are critical to development and human cooperation in general.

In Nigeria, there have been instances when the police have displayed great commitment and dedication by ranks to their duty. But, over the years, the Police in Nigeria have earned themselves a very negative perception from the citizens, through what they observed as its corrupt practices, abuse of power, brutal and partisan approach to issues of politics. Thus many citizens see the force as an enemy instead of a friend, as the force advocates. In fact, the public perception of the Nigerian Police has become so bad that some politicians are now calling for state police while some citizens are resorting to self-help.

Some of the reported unrestrained behaviour of the police includes allegations of massive fraud and extortion against the highest authorities in the Nigeria Police as well as a recent report that junior officers in a particular Police Command in a nearby state carried placards to protest the exorbitant returns that were being demanded of them daily; the daily extortion of motorists on our roads at check points; drivers or conductors that have allegedly been short dead for refusing to pay the illegal toll demanded by gun-toting officers on the road.

Furthermore, recent reports show that the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) recently advised the new Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to curb the excesses of his men and ensure that they conform to the government’s agenda on security and economic transformation. The union gave the advice against the recent attacks of the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mr. Ade Abolurin, and his men by police officers of Owutu Station in Ikorodu area of Lagos. According to the union, the presence of security operatives at such a trouble spot, irrespective of their agencies, should boost efforts to secure the nation’s pipelines from vandals. Unfortunately the contrary appeared to be the case, and one wonders if security operatives were meant to shield the vandals.

Similarly, a rights group, the Doing Democracy Movement, has called for the dismissal of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Abuja, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, for an alleged abuse of power. The group’s call is coming on the heels of the arrest of a journalist with the African Independent Television, on Mbu’s directive. According to them, the AIT journalist who was arrested, detained and later charged to court was at variance with international human right standards required by the police in any civilized society.

We are aware that the federal government have recently provided 70 billion naira to the Ministry of Police Affairs to start the police reform process, the Police must therefore embrace modern scientific policing to complement their community policing initiative. Analysts have recommended that there is need for total re-orientation of the force to understand the role which the police are expected to play in a democracy. There is also a need for structural and institutional reforms, legislative initiatives as well as monitoring; research, training; and advocacy; and mobilisation activities by civil society, in order to introduce and implement necessary changes within the police institution and in the relationship and partnership between the citizens and the police.