AN ANALYSIS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE

ABSTRACT

This research examines the human rights violations by the Nigerian police force. The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) is responsible for hundreds of extra-judicial executions, other unlawful and unsanctioned killings and enforced disappearances every year. This research discusses the evolution of the Nigerian police force, and the nature, causes and effects of human rights violations by the Nigerian police. The Nigeria Police Force is designated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the National Police of Nigeria with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country. It was shown that the Nigerian police has power to arrest, power to grant bail, power to invest in crimes, Police power of the interrogation and identification of suspects, powers of the police in protecting property and power to conduct criminal trials. The research shows that human rights violations has often targeted the ordinary and common people since they are the most vulnerable. However, it was shown that the human rights violation of the Nigerian police are caused by lack of resources, undertrained and unqualified staff, inadequate distribution of budget, poor public image, and the Police force Order 237 that provides a wide ground for the use of lethal force than is permissible under international law and standards. It was shown that there is a poor implementation of human rights law. The study shows that other factors responsible for human rights abuse, such as poor training, poor remuneration, poor infrastructures, corruption, illiteracy and poverty of victims. This study therefore recommends that recruitment of the police personnel should be on merit and qualification. Only those that are worthy of character should be employed by the force as this will help checkmate issues of human rights abuse.