The popular consensus of police brutality in Africa’s giant is one side of the story. Challenges of transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s Police Force fuel #ENDARS, #ENDSWAT, #ENDPoliceBrutality protests across the country.
- Nigerian Police Force is one of the most notorious federal agencies and the most corrupt;
- Its various units, including the ‘disband’ notorious SARS unit, had committed most atrocities against human rights, according to Amnesty International;
- Nigeria’s policing system lacks transparency and accountability;
- From an increase in salary for police officers to institutional and psychological correctness, Nigerian youths are clamouring for large societal corrections.
Over the years, the Nigerian Police Force has been characterised by inefficiency and unprofessionalism. This pilling misconduct has resulted in the dwindled trust and regard from Nigerians. Till date, several citizens regard the agency as one of the most corrupt. And in recent times, severe, perpetrating the violence they are meant to control.
In 2019, a National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report further named the agency, most corrupt. Similarly, Amnesty International also revealed some atrocities committed by some police officers in 2016. Chief amongst these were the malefactions from the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad, dubbed SARS. The report called the attention of Authorities to the state of impunity by men of the SARS. Highlighting the cases, Amnesty International urged the government to ensure prompt, effective, independent, and impartial investigations into allegations of torture by men of the police force.
National Bureau of Statics (NBS)
Transparency and accountability concerns
The Human Rights organization further questioned the transparency of Nigeria’s law enforcement, seeing as they’d apprehended no SARS officer despite all the documented cases of impropriety. Meanwhile, the Force, in a 2015 report, said it documented only 130 complaints on its SARS unit.
Within the period, the Commission said it dispensed with 60 out of seventy-nine (79) pending disciplinary cases. To date, no account of what happened to the rest; no transparency in the handling of citizens’ complaints against police officers, and no justice for victims.
SARS ended, SWAT begins.
In the wake of the call to end Police brutality, the government dissolved the SARS unit and set up a new team, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). It is a model of the Los Angeles Police Department team established in 1960.
But the way and manner of the operation remain unknown. Protesters and citizens have also queried the urgent set up of the team. Though the government had assured that none of the former SARS officers would work at the new tactical, the questions around general police brutality and justice for victims left unanswered. And for this reason, protests ensue.
Argument against protesters
Government officials and some sections of the masses believed the anti-police brutality side had genuine concerns, but the moves have been compromised by opposition and groups. People have also warned over the infiltration of the protest by cybercriminals and robbers.
What’s the way forward?
It looks small on the surface, but large in context. The masses want police that will protect lives and properties. A police force they will be proud of, that will respect human rights and dignity. A police force for all, regardless of social strata; overall, they want a strong reform!
Despite failed promises from the government in recent times, the youths are clamouring for large societal corrections. From an increase in salary for police officers to institutional and psychological correctness. Left unattended, these protests may degenerate into a full-scale societal issue cutting across all spheres of lives.
Till then, the government needs to swing into action, be affirmative, ensure transparency in the affairs of policing, protect, and bring rogue officers to justice.