THE CHALLENGES TO EFFECTIVE POLICING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

There has been serious crave for socio-political and economic development in Nigeria. Over the years, this desire appeared elusive premised on an institution to effect and check maintenance of law and order. Historically, there have not been an enduring and visible stable security and order in Nigeria, capable of guaranteeing development in a developing and heterogeneous society such as Nigeria. It is an axiomatic fact that every multi-cultural society requires an efficient police force. This requirement of efficiency is lacking in Nigeria. Members of the public have occasionally been miffed with the present police system, and usually, their resentment has not conveyed the much desired lessons on the NPF. There is mutual distrust operating between the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the members of the public, apparently on account of the performance of the members of the police force. Policing requires a taciturn reciprocity on the part of the public as well as approval of its existence, actions and behaviour in order to maintain public respect. It is in view of the above, that the authors argued that reciprocity remains an indispensible relationship and a desideratum. The paper therefore maintained the existence of challenges which are both systemic and institution-based impeding the wheel of progress to effective policing system. The authors therefore concluded by recommending both executive, legislative and socio-political interventions, in order to  have an enduring, stable and effective police force in Nigeria.