It is quite regrettable that police personnel had for long dropped their core duties for the unusual. Corruption is synonymous with them. Civilians beget undue intimidation, harassment, extortion, injustice and jungle justice, molestation, wanton killing and all sorts of plagues from the police. The police have become irresponsible, extremely corrupt and a nuisance. They treat the poor differently from the rich.
What is quite most shocking is the fact that all bids to sanitise the Nigerian Police Force have been futile. This makes one wonder whether the personnel have become above the law, or whether there are no practical measures to address the scourging issues from the police to civilians as well as the society as a whole. These and more have been attested by several studies, scholars and our respondents. Worried by the above issues, which constitute plagues to civilians and the society at a large, this paper rises to examine the plagues, and rouse the attention of the government, police authorities and all to halt these rising issues.
It calls on the government and police authorities in particular to permanently check these issues through efficacious and operational legislations against any unethical and unprofessional acts of police personnel, sparing no defaulters. It also recommends that the Police Acts should be reviewed. The conflict theory of crime and the neo-Marxist political economy approach ground the study.
The study concludes that police plagues are on the increase because the excesses of police personnel are yet to be checked appropriately and duly. The non-participant observation and intuition are the primary sources employed, while textual materials like journals, textbooks, monographs, serials, newspapers, magazines and the internet constitute the secondary sources.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Police and Policing
Theoretical Framework
Neo-Marxist Political Economy Approach
Conflict Theory of Crime
History of the Nigerian Police Force
Police’s Plagues and Corruption Effects
Internal and External Problems of the Police
Recommendations
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to examine the systemic challenges and corrupt practices within the Nigerian Police Force and their detrimental impact on civilians and society at large. It seeks to analyze the historical roots of these issues, explore the influence of institutional corruption, and propose actionable legislative and structural reforms to ensure accountability and professional policing.
- Historical evolution of the Nigerian Police Force and its colonial legacy.
- Theoretical analysis using the Neo-Marxist political economy and conflict theories.
- Systemic corruption, including extortion, illegal arrests, and the "road roger syndrome."
- Challenges within the Nigerian bail system and the impact of political interference.
- Recommendations for institutional reform and the promotion of ethical policing.
Excerpt from the Book
Police’s Plagues and Corruption Effects
The Nigeria Police has become the antidote to criminality. The criminals seem to be ahead of the police such that the latter now only react to the commission of crimes and usually after the offenders might have left the scene of the crime (Olujinmi, 2005; Besong, 2016). The Nigerian police often lack the capacity to work effectively and are riddled with corruption that dilutes its effectiveness further still. But just as important as the police’s shortcomings as an institution are political pressures that often prevent the police from investigating abuses connected to politicians or other prominent allies of the ruling party. As one prominent politician from south-western Nigeria said to Human Rights Watch, ‘Political crimes are not ordinary crimes. In such cases the [state’s] Commissioner [of Police] becomes a messenger from above— he requires a nod from higher authorities to function effectively …so what needs to change is the mindset in Abuja’ (HRW, 2007). A Lagos-based activist once disclosed to Human Rights Watch thus: ‘There is a lot of second-guessing also. Even if the president does not issue a directive [not to investigate someone], people try and guess what he would and would not like (HRW, 2007).
The effects of the police force’s equivocal commitment to accountability were clearly evident during the months surrounding the 2007 elections. Rather than attempting to investigate and bring to account sponsors of election-related violence, the leadership of the police force largely fell into a pattern of refusing to respond to incidents of political violence orchestrated by leading politicians or influential members of the PDP (HRW, 2007). Asked about the police response to scores of widely publicised instances of election-related violence, Ehindero said that he knew of ‘only one’ incident of election-related violence that had taken place during the entire pre-election period— an incident that happened to occur in his physical presence (HRW, 2007).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter outlines the study's focus on the plagues caused by police misconduct in Nigeria and discusses the fundamental gap between legal definitions and the realities of law enforcement.
Police and Policing: This section explores the nature of policing in Nigeria, emphasizing how professional ethics and societal perceptions influence the quality of security services.
Theoretical Framework: This chapter adopts the Neo-Marxist political economy approach and the conflict theory of crime to explain the socio-economic and structural roots of police corruption.
History of the Nigerian Police Force: This section traces the colonial origins of the police, illustrating how the institution was designed for control rather than public protection.
Police’s Plagues and Corruption Effects: This chapter details specific corrupt practices, including election-related misconduct and the systemic mistreatment of civilians.
Internal and External Problems of the Police: This chapter analyzes the institutional and social factors—ranging from lack of equipment to political interference—that undermine effective policing.
Recommendations: This chapter proposes essential reforms, including legislative amendments, improved training, and an end to political meddling in police operations.
Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the findings and reiterates the urgent need for institutional change to achieve ethical and professional policing in Nigeria.
Keywords
Nigerian Police, Policing, Plagues, Corruption effects, Civilians, Bail system, Human rights, Political economy, Conflict theory, Law enforcement, Accountability, Institutional reform, Extra-judicial killing, Colonial legacy, Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The paper focuses on the systemic corruption, unprofessional conduct, and negative societal impacts caused by the Nigerian Police Force.
What are the core thematic areas discussed in the book?
The core themes include the colonial history of the police, systemic corruption, the failures of the Nigerian bail system, and the influence of political elites on law enforcement.
What is the main objective of the study?
The primary objective is to analyze the causes of police misconduct and advocate for structural and legislative reforms to improve public safety and justice.
Which scientific theories are used to ground the research?
The study utilizes the Neo-Marxist political economy approach and the conflict theory of crime to analyze police behavior within the socio-political structure.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body examines historical developments, the mechanisms of police corruption (including extortion and extra-judicial killings), and the impact of these practices on the civil society.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include Nigerian Police, corruption, bail system, institutional reform, human rights, and social justice.
How does the author describe the "road roger syndrome"?
The author refers to this as an internal form of corruption, characterized by police officers extorting money from motorists at checkpoints instead of performing their legal duties.
What role does the colonial legacy play in current police issues?
The book argues that the police were originally created by colonial masters for selfish strategic interests, a foundation that has not been fundamentally transformed, leading to persistent authoritarian tendencies.
Why are standard bail processes considered dysfunctional in Nigeria?
They are described as documented but non-functional for ordinary citizens, often involving illegal charges and prolonged detention, while the elite are frequently exempt from these rigid operations.
- Citation du texte
- Odey Robert (Auteur), 2017, Corruption, harassment and injustice. Unlawful conduct of the Nigerian police towards civilians, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/354593
