POLICE AND THE FATE OF NIGERIANS

Since the emergence of policing, the security of every nation cannot ben guarantee in Africa, even though developed nations are grappling with its perfection. the belief of every citizen is the respect of law enforcer whose duty is to protect the lives of the citizen but use the power or avenue at his disposal to kill, rape and cover criminal acts with money In Nigeria, there is depleting respect accorded to the police because of their nefarious activities, However, these actions don't show remorse within them or moral conscience before they do them. most of them believe that their presence in the police force is the right and they can do away with actions they take either bad or good.it becomes worrisome to many affected by the levity and neglect of police in crime mitigation.


It is pertinent to ask; can Nigerian citizens believe in their law enforcer? when the rate of crime increases as a result of the confidence perpetrators have in police, they carry out their actions believing that police will cover them up. police have show irresponsibly in mingling with criminals instead of distancing themselves from them. they sell arms and ammunitions to the criminal with high hope of getting money as returns and displaying non-challant disposition in their duties.

This topic will enable us to ask; what parameters are used to recruit police in the police service commission? what mindset does the police have before they are recruited? why are police-community betrayals? At least 1,476 people were killed by state actors in the country over the past year, says the Council on Foreign Relations. During Nigeria's coronavirus lockdown period, the NHRC, a government agency, said it had found "8 separate incidents of extrajudicial killings leading to 18 deaths”.In total, the group said it received more than 100 complaints across 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states - including Lagos, Ogun and Abuja. Those three parts of the country this week had their two-week lockdown extended. Other areas have set a variety of restrictions, which have seen the police and army called out to enforce them. Nigerian security forces have not responded to the NHRC's report.

Nigeria's police have a bad reputation for brutality, extortion and harassment even before the current coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown imposed to contain the virus. What is more interesting is, however, the fact that the latest damning report did not first come from their usual fierce critics like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Instead, it came from a Nigerian government agency. The Nigerian police authorities say they are doing their best in bringing erring officers to justice. During the current lockdown, the police in Lagos arrested an officer who was seen in a video extorting about $110 (£90) from a motorist. Another officer was demoted in Akwa Ibom state for assaulting a medical doctor during the restriction period. While addressing Nigerians on the lockdown measures on Monday, President Buhari sent a mixed message on the role of the security forces, saying: ''The security agencies have risen to the challenges posed by this situation with gallantry and I commend them. I urge them to continue to maintain utmost vigilance, firmness as well as restraint in enforcing the restrictions orders, while not neglecting statutory security responsibilities. As the lockdowns and other security issues continue, many Nigerians have little confidence that the attitude of the security forces will improve soon despite assurances by the authorities.