Internal security and maintenance and enforcement of law and order are the primary responsibilities of the police in any part of the world.
This age-long duties have helped to establish peace by molding the character of the society towards sustainable and enduring developmental growth and value chain. In the developed world, this success has been achieved as a result of careful planning and execution of the much needed progressive policies by the leadership that puts the interest of the public above all other considerations. A policy of decentralizing the powers and functions of the police departments have brought desired results. There are county and municipal police, state and federal police with jurisdictions and function.
They have a working synergy in dispatching their duties and interdependency. They do intelligence sharing when needed and appropriate it for better results a d performance. It exemplifies what policing should be and very enviable. This practical methodology of policing in the advanced world is well funded by the tax payers and they are getting their money worth.The police personnel are well trained and paid.
They are very passionate about their job. They don’t get corrupt and always hold allegiance to their oath of service. The police department maintains a high level professionalism and community oriented approach and friendliness. Contrary to our expectations, it’s a different narrative here in Nigeria.
This concept of one central police unit is not working and calls for re-engineering. This advocacy is long overdue for serious thoughts. The underperformance of the Nigeria police force is crystal clear. The planning was very inarticulate and on the wrong foundation. The corruption level have made the personnel a laughing stock and subject of mockery. There is no difference between street beggars and police personnel considering their actions at road blocks or checkpoints. This has brought shame and embarrassment to the entire system. The Nigeria police is too big for one person to be the overall head.
Personnel are poorly trained and paid, their performance are nothing to write home about-it was planned to fail at inception. Nigerian citizens are not happy and have brought distrust in the police and community relations.
Police brutality and abuse of power is a worrying situation. These are cumulative reasons for the Endsars protests nationwide by the Nigeria youths. Restructuring is needful to correct the wrongs.
The Endsars protesters called for police reforms for better performance and community friendly policing. The much needed reforms are imperative.
Better training of personnel and improved wages among others need to be effected.
The decentralization of the police force calls for urgent attention
The need for muncipal and state police to add to the status quo cannot be over emphasized. It’s highly recommendable. This model has huge benefits as witnessed in advanced countries. The Endsars protests should not be allowed to repeat.
Nigerian youths are advocates and champions for a vibrant police devoid of corruption and abuse as demonstrated during the endsars protests.
The posture and body language that nothing has been learnt is suicidal. Let the needful be done to change this ugly experience that has hurted us too long.
We deserve better. The leadership should not undermine the voice of good reasoning by activists and stakeholders on the very need for Nigeria police reform.