A CRITIQUE OF THE ROLE OF THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE IN THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This research examines the role of the police force in promoting human rights in Nigeria. The Nigerian police is saddled with the responsibility of maintenance of law and order. It also protects, prevents and investigates criminal activities. However, the objective of the Nigerian Police Force has not been fully met. The research discusses the extent of human rights violations by the Nigerian Police Force. It was shown that abuses of human rights by the Nigerian Police have become a daily occurrence. Security forces rarely adhere to legally mandated rules of engagement, and they are known to use excessive force to arrest, detain and kill any suspect. It was shown that police brutality and extra judicial killings are caused by chronic lack of resources, undertrained and unqualified staff, inadequate distribution of budget, and poor public image. It was shown from the research that there are laws for the protection of human rights in Nigeria, however, there is a poor implementation of these laws. This research therefore recommends that recruitment of the police personnel should be on merit and qualification. Only those that are worthy of character should be in the force as this will help checkmate issues of human rights abuse. It concludes that strict punishment should be put in place for police who commit human rights abuses so that it would serve as deterrence to others.

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urn:uuid:b81c73dc-5842-43e9-9c47-a3728273a94e