ABSTRACT
The Nigeria police force is an organ under the executive arm of the government saddle with the responsibility of maintaining law and order, protection of human rights among others. However, this organ created by the government wields so much unchecked powers in its supposed administration of justice to the extent of violating and eroding the fundamental rights of citizens.
In every government whether military or civilian there is incidents of gross violation of human rights ranging from extra judicial killing torture, death while in detention, suspect denial of access to bail, police brutality, murder e.t.c. in almost every decade of the police history. While these issues are prevalent in the society, the government seems to turn blind eyes. Though policing provide benefits, it however causes the global impression of policing as a government force and not a public service. It is in this light the research attempts an appraisal of the powers of the police and analysis of human rights violation by the Nigeria police force. The study observes that though the police use discretion to support human rights, it is the abuse of the discretion and powers that result in violation of human rights. The researches identify the rights subjects to abuse by the police. The research aim at calling the attention of the government to ensure that police in carrying out their functions should give qualitative value to human rights in all ramifications.
The research methodology is anchored on doctrinal approach with law as the main focus. Based on the findings, the research recommends the reform of the police force by the government, improvement of the condition and service of the Nigeria police. It concludes that there should be an end to the era of impunity in the Nigeria police force and speedy dispensation of all human rights abuses before the court.
