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2018
An attempt to cultivate a common national identity in Nigeria met with serious obstacles from separatist agitations in Nigerian history which dates as far as 1914. This study examines the Separatists’ agitations and the quest for state police in Nigeria. The study found out that Nigeria Police Force was officially inaugurated on 1st October, 1960 as a government agency saddled with the responsibility of maintaining public peace and order. The study notes that the agitation for state Police has been in the public domain since the Second Republic but only received public attention at the inception of the current democratic dispensation. The study employs primary and secondary source materials including books, journal articles and other scholarly publications to interrogate the study. It concludes that Nigeria’s democracy is too young and fluid for the establishment and operation of a state police system. Article visualizations:
Within the framework elite theory, the paper critically examined the place of Nigeria police in the sustenance of democracy. The paper submits that no matter the level of investment and commitment into democracy, its future definitely can only be bright if state institutions such as the police are constantly involved in activities that protect democratic order. Given the catalog of challenges facing the police force, some steps such as: effective and special training in the area of human right, rule of law, the role of police in electoral process, removal of police attachment to politicians and political parties, employment of best practices in recruitment, attitudinal change and orientation of the members of the police force, should be taken in order to enhance the activities of the Nigeria police force towards democratization in Nigeria with a view of the oncoming 2015 general election.
Bulletin of "Carol I" National Defense University, 2023
There has been a debate on the modality for the management of the Nigerian Police Force since the return to civil rule in 1999. The debate revolves around the need to devolve constitutional authority on policing to sub-national units. In theory, this will entail moving internal security issues, inclusive of policing, from the exclusive federal list to the concurrent list. Given the heighten insecurity that has plagued the Nigerian state in recent times, this paper examines the restructuring discourse in Nigeria with a specific focus on the call for the establishment of state police within the context of the subsidiarity principle. The study was contextualized within the exploratory research design paradigm and it adopted the qualitative approach in the sourcing and analysis of data. To this end, the paper has drawn information from published media reports that include: opinion, commentaries, editorials and news articles. Data was also sourced from published academic and policy publications that include: articles, chapter in books, books and government documents. Drawing on information from these sources, this paper assesses the positions of protagonists and antagonists of state police in Nigeria. It draws out implications for security governance in Nigeria.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ACADEMIC RESEARCH/ARTS, HUMANITIES AND EDUCATION, 2019
The increasing security challenges in Nigeria particularly as from 1999 have conditioned the clamor for State Police thereby igniting a national conversation on the subject. This paper using primary and secondary sources laced in a historical methodology makes a contribution to this on-going dialogue. It dissects the State Police thesis against the backdrop of its potency as an antidote to innumerous and escalating security challenges. Whilst disagreeing with the State Police thesis, it argues that though the Federal Police appears overwhelmed by the magnitude of internal security incongruities, the fundamental problem with the system is not necessarily its structure but the attitude of Nigeria Police personnel and the character of the elites in power. The paper insists that unless there is a restructuring of the attitude of the elites in power, the efficacy of the State Police antidote is doubtful. The peculiar historical, social and economic realities in Nigeria blight whatever promise State Police theoretically hold. Therefore, rather than enthrone State Police, a reformation or re-engineering of the Federal Police particularly its operations is advocated. It is hoped that this paper would help broaden policy options for strengthening the Nigeria Police.
The debate of whether or not Nigerian states should have their own police forces has become more contentious. This is not unconnected with the high and sophisticated crime rate and insecurity pervading the country. The sustenance of order, security of life, legality, development and democracy may be difficult without policing. With the prevailing security challenge in Nigeria, it will be right to say that the federal policing have certainly performed below expectation. Nevertheless, antagonists of state policing have argued against it on the ground that the country is not ripe for because state chief executives might turn them into personal armies to fight political oppositions. Policing in Nigeria could be traced to the colonial era which subjugated the existing traditional informal law enforcement order and forcefully imposed western idea of policing, which has been maintained and sustained by successive governments. This is a big question that begs for attention is; would state police solve the security challenges in Nigeria? This paper will attempt to examine the missing gap in Nigeria's security threat and concludes that there is need for constitutional and radical reforms for effective policing.
NPSA SOUTHEAST PUBLICATION, 2019
It is doubtless that the wave of insecurity in the Nigerian state is alarming and disturbing. There are several security challenges which cut across the nooks and crannies of the country. Even though, the security of life and property are the primary purpose of government, as solidified in the 1999 Constitution as amended, that "the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government." This study argues that the Nigerian Police and allied agencies being the major security/law enforcement agencies have failed abysmally in their constitutional role, as there is now protection and securitisation of politicians and their regimes and politicisation of security by the police at the expense of national security. The study is harped on Marxist theory; longitudinal research design, documentary method of data collection and qualitative method of analysis. The study deciphered amongst others that the federal government has generally failed to tame and hold the police accountable amidst the recurrence and sudden increase of insecurity; it has rather continued to use the police as means of regime survival and intimidation of opposition within and without a political party/fold. Thus, public complaint mechanisms, internal police controls, and civilian oversight remain very weak, and largely ineffective as the ugly trend continues. The study recommends amongst others, that the Nigerian government in general and the police/security agencies' leadership in particular should thus address this structural deficit; follow through on reform initiatives, and implement effective police oversight and accountability in order to revert-back to their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and properties.
2013
This paper deals with the travails of national security in the context of democracy and urbanism. It argues that the securitization of democracy has undermined democratic freedoms. Central to the arguments is that the constrain of democracy in Africa has been the reduction of its principles to serve sentiment of the developing community. It further argues that democracy should be seen as an essentially contested concept, not in ways that denies its core values but that recognize its pluralism. It is this pluralism of democracy that creates the lacuna that in many cases contravene some basic security values such as force and precision particularly in city centers. Democracy in Nigeria attempt compromising security into face saving agenda. This constitutes threat to its essence and commitment to order and obedience. This unfortunately caught most African police napping helplessly. The paper concludes with some ways forward.
International Conference, 2018
The objective of this paper is to apply the logic of Democratic principles and strategy as a basis to critically analyze the Nigerian state’s securitization moves as a response to the challenge of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN). Since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, after different prolonged military interregnums, the Nigerian state has kept experiencing various kinds of security challenges from the activities of different groups and movements such as MENDS, Boko Haram, Niger Delta Avengers, etc. Such has made the polity and its democratic system suffer setbacks arising from its inability to appropriately and effectively handle such security challenges. The latest clash between the IMN and the Nigerian state or its Army apparatus in Zaria on the 12th of December 2015 and an earlier one on the 25th of July, 2014, which led to the killing of hundreds of members of the former, is a full pledge problem indicative of the fact that something is wrong with the securitization approach of the Nigerian state on internal security challenges. Using interviews and literature reviews as sources of primary and secondary data, the research concludes that the Nigerian state’s use of Army apparatus as excessive and unproportional force to respond to the civil challenge of the IMN, is not only democratically unconstitutional and therefore illegal, but also strategically unwise. The paper recommends among others solutions, Grand Strategic (soft) Approach, i.e. following due, legal, and democratic processes in handling insecurity problems, empowerment and equipment of civil and police security forces as the legitimate agencies to handle civil issues vis-a-vis discouraging the use of Army apparatus in civil matters except where absolutely necessary, and putting in place a sound and vibrant socio-economic and political that will effectively prevent radical groups from taking advantage of political opportunities and mobilizing structures to the detriment of the state.
The introduction of state police into Nigerian policing system has been widely suggested as the only solution for the curbing of the incessant security conundrum in the country. The mantra has gained popularity as a result of the surge in the rate of highly sophisticated crimes in the country, and the inability of the federal police command to contain the challenges. It is believed that the closeness of the state police to the society of its jurisdiction places it in more proactive position for the detecting and uprooting of any emerging crime before it grows. However, there is an opinion which insists that state police will lead to a situation in which there will be two rivaling institutions of the same responsibility, duty and nature in the country. This is mainly the opinion of the antagonists of state police. Nevertheless, the protagonists of the state police maintain that the creation of state police is the only solution to all Nigeria security challenges, given the acquaintance of the institution with the people and the terrain.
2018
The paper examined the emergence and nature of the police with the various legal frameworks for the establishment and functions of the police in Nigeria with a view to assessing its meaning, foundation and scope as well as its essence and limits. These were with a view to undertaking holistic analysis and appraisal of the nature and extent of jurisdictional essence of policing Nigeria The study relied on primary and secondary sources of information. The primary source included unstructured interviews with relevant authorities, judicial decisions, statutory provisions establishing and providing functions for the Nigeria Police Force and rudimentary policing in Nigeria. The secondary source of information included books, journal articles, conference proceedings, newspaper publications and the internet. Information received was subjected to content analysis.The study found that the police is founded on a three-scope essence of (i) protection of life and property, (ii) maintenance of la...
The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies, 2019
Introduction Nigerians' now live in fear, we are afraid of everything. We are afraid of flying, afraid of certain people, afraid of bearded and turbaned terrorist men, afraid of some airline passengers; of letter and parcels, of white powder and suicide bombers. Here, we harbor terrorists, our people, innocent or otherwise, are afraid too. We are afraid of being killed and maimed by bombs and missiles from hundreds of miles away by unseen forces. We are afraid because we are constantly be coming collaterals to be killed because we were cut in the way of the destruction by ambush, kidnapping, plane hijacking, Arson and constant harassment of our countries of our people. The above expression underscores our experiences and the security condition of not only our people, but also Nigeria's terrain at large. According to Agbu (2004), present speculations for national security and policies of Nigeria is the visibility of unsecured situation in a more deadly and impersonal fashion and an incompetent state and armed men who will have find it very difficult to combat. In a rather cynical way, Agbese (2008) noted, that the level of security in the country is measured almost entirely by the activities of its criminals; the fewer their activities, the greater the chance for everyone to feel safe. The more violent their activities, the greater the induced sense of insecurity. Even the level of foreign investments in the country, is based on investor's reading of the criminal barometer there (Agbese, 2008). All societies are victims of the criminals among them because they pose serious security challenges. The nature and intensity of security threats together with the poor performance of the Nigeria Police Force has hitherto provoked the inclusion of state policing as a substantive element of the political restructuring debate in Nigeria. Researchers highlighted that strange movements, suspicious characters and micro crimes can be easily incorporated into state policingas a global practice. Imobighe (2006) informs us that without security, individuals within a state may encounter some hitches in engaging in productive activities. Similarly, without security, the state is bound to experience great difficulty in harnessing its human and material resources towards meaningful development and the promotion of the general well-being of the people. In the current state of insecurity, the country is going through an individual may be cajoled to be a part of this. The negative impact of this ugly situation needs not be over stressed here as the citizens are being overwhelmed by fear of impending but unknown violent attacks by either armed robbers, kidnappers, assassins, and recently bombers, whether hit-and-run or suicide bombers. Obviously, visiting densely populated public areas or critical infrastructures is now a nightmare. The much-needed private investors, whether local or foreign are so scarred of committing their hard earned or borrowed funds into our economy for the fear of losing them within a minute. Even areas that have tourist potentialities are being avoided like a plague by tourists, especially, the foreign ones, for fear of being attacked or trapped in the area.
The Police are located at the façade of Criminal Justice System in virtually all countries in the globe and the efficacy of democratic system of government lies on the functional police as well as other related agencies of the Criminal Justice System or law enforcement agencies. Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has allowed politicians in government to use them against opposition. The paper examined the role of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) from the revival of democratic rule in Nigeria from 1999-2015. The paper adopted political economy theory and Weberian approach as theoretical triangulation and content analysis in the methodology. In the sixteen years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rule before it was defeated at the 2015 general elections, the NPF has systemically impeded the process of political gatherings, mobilization and campaigns by the opposition politicians and political parties. The handling of political activities by the NPF shows that they often take side with the ruling party and the resultant effect is that the Police has lost its neutrality and respect before the citizens. The palpable fear is that Nigeria witnessed the dress rehearsal in the use of the Police Force as a repressive tool to distort and disrupt the beleaguered Nigerian democracy which signifies a gloomy future for democratic governance. It has been settled that the police usually engage in reckless harassment of civilians they perceived opposed then the ruling party. The paper found out that police in most countries are arguably the central public service of the modern state and as such are required by the citizens to display high sense of civility in their national callings. They are ought to protect the essential freedoms of the citizens and have monopoly over the use of legitimate force. The police in Nigeria since the period of British colonialism had been willing accomplice of the ruling class and the elite, perpetuating and abetting impunity that are detrimental to democratic mores and traditions. In this manner, the Nigeria Police is the most disrespected security agent in Nigeria and threatens the sustainability of the democratic experiment.
Focusing on Western Nigeria during the era of decolonization, this article explores the impacts of decolonization on policing and public order. Specifically, it illustrates how colonial officials and Nigerian nationalists tried to interpret often-unclear policies to fashion a political transition. The granting of internal self-government by the British in 1957 began a complicated transition in which actors struggled over the meanings, opportunities, and fears of forthcoming independence. The tensions generated by contested views of the responsibilities and privileges of new leaders over the control of the transitioning bureaucracy and the police created conditions of instability ahead of the post-colonial state. More broadly, this article demonstrates a different narrative of decolonization from the conventional literature, which depicts decolonization as programmes negotiated and implemented by colonial officers and anti-colonial nationalists.
2016
The delivery of internal security is the exclusive role of the government and should be done with all urgency, seriousness and sincerity. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) presently lacks: adequate personnel, adequate funds, adequate infrastructure, up-to-date equipment, intelligence training, specialized departments, freedom from political interference cum manipulation, discipline, and technology, all of which is essential for effectiveness and efficiency. It is based on this proviso that this paper attempts to remedy the inadequacies of the Nigerian Police Force arguing that in spite of the socioeconomic , ecological and socio-cultural impediments of the institution and the objections against decentralizing the institution, having a state police is the most effectual way to go for it will have a far reaching positive effect in curbing insecurity, crime, armed robbery, kidnappings, and extortion currently bedeviling the Nigerian state especially at the rural level, after all, most of the groups start by organizing themselves at this level.
Abstract Police forces around the world are responsible for the maintenance of law and order in the society. There primary objective is to protect lives and properties. The size and structure of police force of any nation is determined by its security situation. Most large countries like, China, India, United State of America whose population are very large operate multiple police forces to meet its security needs. Unlike Nigeria whose population is about 200 million occupying a very vast territory yet operates a single central police known as the Nigeria Police Force. Presently the country is besieged with major security challenges; Boko haram sect, cattle rustlers and Fulani herdsmen ravaging the north while kidnapper, arm robbers and Niger delta militants are foisting untold hardship on the people of southern Nigeria without abate. The efforts of the central police to combat these menace have not yielded any appreciable result. It is against this background that stake holders, opinion group, member of civil society groups and legislature at both federal and state level have continued to call for the creation of state police as the only way out of this security quagmire foisted on the country by the operation of a single and centrally controlled police force. However, the idea of creation of state police has received opposition from some quarters. This group cited fear of abuse of state police by the state authorities as their major concern. They cited the history of abuses of regional and local police by the regional governments during the events leading to the Nigeria independent in the 1960 and earlier years of the independence. This paper using doctrinal method appraised the history of Nigeria police force, its structure, development and causes of its present day challenges viz-à-viz the security situation of the country. It’s also reviewed the structure of police in the united state of America, India and South Africa to distill whether the structural template of their police forces if adopted in Nigeria can help the country out of its present security challenges and concluded that if Nigeria must overcome its present security deficiencies, there is no better time than now to allow states create, manage and control it State Police Forces.
Dynamic Journal of Humanities, Social and Sciences Indiana, Unitrd states of America Vol5, no.1. 2025, 2025
This paper explains salient issues in local policing in Nigeria from 1930 to the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970 and its implication in Nigerian. Historical and descriptive methods of research were deployed to investigate the issues of discretion, use of force, crisis of alienation in the police, public cynicism towards police, discriminatory stop and search policy and many others which can be traced to the colonial era. This study depends on secondary and primary sources of information. Findings indicate that the politicization of police which resulted in the termination of local policing only exposed the politics of police control and partisanship; local police forces' protection of the ruling class, defense of state apparatus, enforcement of tax and other laws made by the bureaucratic bottlenecks made the security issues grow. The paper recommends restructuring of the police institution and not re-establishment of local policing.
Revista Brasileira de Estudos Africanos, 2020
West African Dynamic Journal of Humanities, Social and Management Sciences and Education. , 2025
This study explains the origin, causes, manifestations, nature, and effect of Police-Civilian Faceoff in internal security of Nigeria focussing on imperial policing of Nigeria in the period 1861-1970. Imperial policing started in 1861 when Mc Caskey, colonial administrator of Lagos established Consular Guard of 30 men. The study terminates in 1970 when centralized policing was established. The study deployed the historical and analytical methods, with primary and secondary sources to achieve its aim. The aim of this study is to reposition the Nigeria police force through restoration of dignity and respect by ensuring that the conduct of police operations respects and protects the rights of the citizens of the country. Findings from research shows that policing agents in Nigeria of all ages were not insulated from partisanship and political control; were perceived as not accountable to the public; and had their activities and programs motivated by self interests. The researcher recommends, training and retraining program; overhaul of community policing approach; improved police-public relations, implementation of home-made adaptive strategies to Police-Civilian Faceoff and image building; removal of all vestiges of colonial legacy from policing. This valuable source material will be useful to students, teachers, security experts and policy makers.
THE ANTHROPOLOGIST
This paper reviews the findings of the study carried out in Srem region, to establish whether nonpermanent population mobility is a phenomenon of social, economic, and demographic significance for the region itself and a country as a whole. This well-known immigration area in Serbia was inhabited for centuries because of its specific economic and political reasons, and recently became one of the most important regions in the country in terms of commuting process of commuting. Very intensive absorption of commuters is the result of the economic development regarding the new investments in this region. Agrarian settlements became a base for the labor force in recent period. The aim of the paper is to highlight how commuting correlates with economic development.
2020
This paper examines the vexed issue regarding the agitation for the creation of state police in the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially in this era of terrorism and insecurity. It conceptualizes state police, terrorism and insecurity. Thereafter, it briefly chronicles the history of the Police Force; analyzes its establishment, structure and functions; x-rays the arguments for and against its creation; and recommends ways which, if followed, will help the federal government of Nigeria in stamping out terrorism and providing the enabling atmosphere for the security of lives and property of Nigerians, which is the basic preoccupation of government.
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