Examination of the Effects of Police Brutality and Abuse of Human Rights in Nigeria

Abstract

The primary function of the police is to enforce law and order in the society for the protection of human
rights. It is unfortunate that these people who are meant to be the watchdogs of the society have now turned
into its most ruthless predators. There are ample reported cases (and much more unreported) cases of
police brutality and violations of human rights in Nigeria. This has resulted in the masses losing trust in
the police system as a government agency. The objective of this paper is to examine the effects of police
brutality and human rights abuses in Nigeria. Evidences and testimonies abound on police brutality and
abuse of human rights, which are discussed in detail in this paper. The study made use of doctrinal research
method through the use of primary source such as statutes and regulations as well as secondary source
such as books, academic journals, newspaper publications, television documentaries, Internet materials,
etc. The causes of police brutality and violations of human rights include systemic corruption; inadequate
welfare package for police officers; lack of training and re-training; etc. In order to prevent the recurrent
incidences of police brutality and violations of human rights, there should be a police reform by subjecting
prospective members of the Nigeria Police Force to thorough mental health evaluation and organizing a
compulsory training on policing standards for police officers on a regular basis; the paycheck of the police
officers should be raised to be at par with current economic realities; there should also be incentives given
to police officers who are of the optimum professional behaviour at the end of a given period.