Police reform: Moving from promises to action
The resolve by President Bola Tinubu to commit to a major uplifting of police, to boost internal security, is exciting on the face of it. But it will be meaningless unless and until that resolve is transmitted into practical reality. For one, there had been numerous similar pledges by the government in the recent past, all of which went to no issue. The promise, in 2020, by former President Muhammadu Buhari in response to the demand of #EndSARS protesters is one of such failed promises because it scarcely impacted the police in concrete terms. In addition, the problems of the country’s police are numerous and endemic, such that mere postulating to commit money for tools and equipment will only probably scratch the problems on the surface. What will likely make a greater impact on safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians is a force, decentralised to serve limited states or regions, and complemented at the centre by the federal police.
President Tinubu emphasised his administration’s commitment to equipping the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) with the necessary tools and training, as well as improving the welfare of its personnel. This is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that the NPF protects and serves Nigerians effectively and efficiently. The President outlined critical measures being taken by his administration in this regard, including the acquisition of new vehicles, communication equipment, and forensic tools to enhance crime detection and prevention capabilities.
While the president’s desire to reform the NPF aligns with his administration’s broader goals of addressing security challenges across the country, the need for police reform is critical, given Nigeria’s security concerns, which include insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and incessant breaches of public peace. However, Nigerians are eager for action rather than words, as previous administrations made similar promises without bringing about significant changes.
For President Tinubu’s efforts to have a real impact, they must be assessed in light of the statutory functions of the NPF. According to the Nigeria Police Act (as amended), the primary statutory functions of the NPF include crime prevention, detection, apprehension of offenders, preservation of law and order, protection of life and property, and the due enforcement of all laws for the benefit of the citizenry. The Nigeria Police Force (Establishment) Act, 2020, which came into force on September 17, 2020, aims to reposition the NPF “to uphold and safeguard the fundamental rights of every person in Nigeria and to bring about a positive change in the public perception of the Police Force by ensuring that its functions are performed in a manner sensitive to the needs and well-being of the general public.”
Unfortunately, the NPF has not been living up to its mandate, which has hindered its effectiveness and efficiency over the years. There has been a persistent misuse and erosion of police powers and functions. For example, many police officers, who are supposed to be detecting crimes and maintaining law and order for the common good, are instead being deployed to wealthy politicians, traditional rulers, senior military and paramilitary officers, wealthy businessmen, internet fraudsters (“yahoo boys”), and celebrities, serving as their personal orderlies, houseboys, bag carriers, ushers, drivers, security agents, car washers, and more. President Bola Tinubu recently directed that police personnel assigned to these individuals be withdrawn, but it appears that this directive has not been fully implemented.
For the police to be effective and efficient, corruption and abuses within the ranks of the police force must be addressed. This requires stronger oversight mechanisms and reforms aimed at making the police more accountable to the public. Many police officers shamelessly engage in bribery and extortion, which has eroded public trust and undermined the rule of law. Thus, Nigerians fear the police more than they trust them. Cases of misconduct by police officers are rarely properly investigated, and those responsible are seldom held accountable. This perpetuates a culture of impunity within the force.
The police should be adequately remunerated and their welfare improved. Most officers are poorly paid and lack access to adequate healthcare, housing, and retirement benefits. This poor welfare system lowers morale and increases the likelihood of officers engaging in corrupt practices to supplement their income. Many officers also lack adequate training in modern policing techniques, human rights, and criminal investigations, which affect their ability to handle cases professionally and respect citizens’ rights.
The police should be decentralised as against the current situation in which the NPF is highly centralised, with control concentrated at the federal level. This often creates a disconnect between the police and the communities they serve. This poor relationship fuels mistrust, making it harder for citizens to cooperate with the police in solving crimes. It limits the effectiveness of local policing and creates gaps in addressing community-specific security needs. The police force also lacks modern equipment such as forensic tools, surveillance technology, and communication systems, making it difficult to carry out investigations and respond effectively to crime.
The police force needs to be equipped with modern policing techniques, including community policing and de-escalation, for crime prevention and investigation. Adequate salaries, healthcare, and pension benefits are essential to motivate officers and reduce the temptation of corruption. The Tinubu administration should invest in continuous training for police officers to enhance their professional skills, ethics, and understanding of human rights, enabling them to function efficiently.
Beyond Mr President’s rhetoric, concrete actions should be taken in the coming months to invigorate the NPF and enable it to perform its statutory functions effectively. Currently, the police are mostly visible at checkpoints on expressways, where they constantly extort money from motorists. This is not a good reflection of the police. While the presence of the police at checkpoints could deter crime and provide a psychological boost to motorists in dangerous, crime-prone areas, there is a need to implement and promote community policing strategies to detect and prevent crimes at the grassroots level and to build trust and collaboration between the police and the communities they serve.
Given the incapacity of the current centralised police structure, it is high time the State Police is created in Nigeria to complement the work of the Federal Police in combating crimes and protecting lives and property across the country. The call for the creation of State Police is meritorious in this context, especially during social upheavals such as inter-communal riots, youth restiveness, and ethnic militancy.
The persistent call for reforming the Nigeria Police is a significant and pressing issue, and many people agree that concrete actions need to be taken rather than just rhetoric. These actions include better funding, improved training, stronger accountability mechanisms, and a greater focus on community-based policing. An efficient police system is critical to the health and stability of Nigerian democracy. In Nigeria’s federal system, effective policing at the state and local levels can help address regional security challenges and reduce the over-centralisation of power. This promotes a more balanced and responsive federal structure, aligning with democratic principles.
Security is crucial for the economic stability and viability of Nigeria, and economic stability, in turn, strengthens democratic institutions. By reducing crime and ensuring a stable environment, an efficient police force encourages investment, economic development, and employment—key factors in sustaining democratic governance.
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