Reforming the Unreformable: Suppressing “Empty Stomach” from Ruining the Nigeria Police Force
Arguments on the correlation between security and development have never been controversial. This is because security and development are mutually inclusive. Again, policing is believed to be synonymous with security. The absence of security provides us with the need for policing and where policing is effectively rooted, it would enable peace; decorum and ultimately, sustainable livelihood would flourish.
Standing on the shoulders of Professor Oyesoji Aremu — prominent scholar in Policing and Criminal Justice, the beginning of organized policing in Nigeria was influenced by the British government through its colonisation policy and this was dated to 1861 when the British Consul in Lagos sought the permission of his principal in London to establish a Consular Guard of 30 men. This 30-men Consular Guard was later re-designated as the “Hausa Guard” in 1863.
Similarly, in 1893, The Niger Coast Constabulary (the Northern Nigeria Police Force and the Northern Nigeria Regiment) was also established. In effect, Nigeria in the pre-colonial period had two police forces: the Lagos Police Force and the Royal Niger Constabulary until the year 1930 when the two police bodies were merged to become what is known as the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The NPF has three colours: blue stands for love, loyalty and unity; yellow for discipline and resourcefulness; and green for energy and life. What is the degree of resourcefulness and life in the Nigerian Police?
In the cool evening of Monday, July 02, 2018, I woke up from a nap with a video notification that men of the NPF are protesting over poor welfare arrangements and calling for a sack of the Inspector General of Police (IGP). There was no electricity to charge my phone. So, I waited for my neighbor to put on his generator (I pass my neighbour), before I could consume the details of the news. How could the allowance of men of the force, deployed on special duties, be denied or delayed by the authorities for about 5–8 months? Who is responsible for this delay and why?
The subject of corruption is the most popular discourse in Nigeria. Nigeria is passing a turbulent period, in virtually all sectors — ranging from insecurity, economic volatility and inflation, infrastructural deficits, etc with the #2019Election fast approaching. Generally, corruption is a function of national life and a norm in Nigeria. Just a little pressure, what is the state of corruption in Nigeria?
In August 21, 2017 — the first-ever household survey on bribery in Nigeria was launched in Abuja. Conducted by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS); the research finds that on average, almost one bribe is paid by every adult citizen per year to public officials. Covering a one-year period, a total of 82.3 million bribes were paid amounting to Naira 400 billion. Going by the NBS report, the NPF and Judiciary are the most corrupt institutions in the country. This is not without counter-claims by the Police and Judiciary.
The history of the police agency is replete with corruption and it is an occupation that is rife with the opportunity for misconduct. It is common to see motorists shaking-down police officers with enclosed N100 notes because the former practice of N50 is now considered “derogatory” and no longer acceptable. Motorists have adjusted and compliance is adjudged total. For instance, in Port Harcourt, motorists are identified with special codes or numbers, which changes at the discretion of the men on duty at different hours of the day. The special code is to ensure that no motorist evades the payment because they often ask you to declare your number. To say the least, this is sad and unsatisfactory!
Against the backdrop of the many sins of the police, citizens led by a prominent campaigner, Mr Segun Awosanya have initiated campaigns such as #ReformPoliceNG and #EndSARS to press home citizens’ dissatisfaction and disdain for corrupt activities of the NPF. The campaigns have gained massive support and popularity among Nigerians, especially youths, the most populous segment of Nigerian population. Long before now, Chief Osita Chidoka — a reformer par excellence and governance expert had written extensively on Rethinking the National Security Architecture, providing evidence and far-reaching recommendations. It appears that the efforts of Chief Chidoka, Mr Segun and many other patriotic Nigerians have fallen on infertile soils.
Beyond the efforts of citizens, Police effectiveness is determined by the quality of both internal and external governance. Most often than not, the quality of police personnel and their productivity are determined by the government in terms of the quality of funding and resources made available to them. It is a common knowledge that the Nigerian Police are poorly remunerated. They are not only poorly paid; promotions are delayed for too long, thereby making the morale of the police below average. What an unscientific way of running a security agency!
The cost of policing a diverse people like Nigeria is enormous and requires adequate funding. Without adequate funding; regular payment of allowances and privileges; logistic and operational support, the police cannot be productive. Effective policing depends on adequate funding and budgetary allocation to security agencies of which the Nigerian police is the primary agent. I have neither seen nor read about a country that prospers when internal security is compromised for whatever reason. No! Beyond our constructive criticisms and reservations about the police, Nigeria must police the police by providing adequately for them especially for the rank and file who are usually the most deprived and affected.
Before politics, security is a local enterprise and must be considered as such. Why is the police agency on the exclusive list of the constitution? What are the dangers of compromising professionalism and technical positions for mere political considerations? In solving the uncountable challenges of the Nigerian Police, we should consider the devolution of policing power to the states — the “federating units”, by making it a constitutional provision under the concurrent list. Because we like comparing policies with developed countries or international best practices, state police is practiced in many progressive states like USA, UK, Belgium, France, India, Pakistan, Algeria, South Africa, to mention but a few.
The contention that cannot be suppressed is the fact that the Nigerian Police Force is frail or better described, ailing. And if leadership is that of providing direction, concerned authorities must rise to the challenge and restore tranquility to the uprising or public enquiry about welfare and allowances as seen in Borno State Police Command Headquarters.
The buck stops at the President; there is no dissenting voice about this fact, except in ignorance. In addition, the federal government of Nigeria should immediately, declare a state of emergency on the NPF. The government should begin a nationwide enlistment of educated and emotionally intelligent youths while prioritizing adequate-funding for manpower development and staff welfare. In reforming the NPF, authorities should ensure the personnel do not run on empty stomachs. With committed leadership, Nigeria can rise above her present challenges.
Author: Ani, Nwachukwu Agwu is a Rural Development Specialist. He lives in Abuja and works for Connected Development. Contact him via @NwachukwuAni or nwachukwu@connecteddevelopment.org
