Sustaining the Nigerian Police Force with system innovation and upgrade

By Pamela Uloma Adikwu

Information Technology in any organization is the key to day-to-day activities. It does not just enhance communication which is a vital arm of any organization, but it also gives them the ability to develop and carry their duties most effectively. A computerized system in the Nigerian Police Force would easily enable the sector to record and track activities as well as criminals, this is apart of the new national police check scheme being implemented. These are a few out of major problems the Nigerian Police are yet to tackle. In their current state, a lot of criminals after being screened during arrests have been allowed to go back to the streets for lack of incriminating evidences. They are not being tracked nor kept on surveillance, and such lapses further confound safety issues in the community. An effective IT system allows the police to keep records/ data and locations of notorious criminals or ex-convicts; as well as keep them under surveillance. In a typical system equipped with effective IT tools, a lot of criminals could be apprehended just by intense surveillance.

Another important aspect of the IT system in the Nigerian Police is effective communication. The Nigerian Police at this time must have a National Emergency number that actually functions. This number could be connected to the police switch box with 24-hour live operators. The operators would then connect to the field response team and officers. Additionally, another level of this transformation process would be the upgrade of police cars. Every police car in order to function very well must be equipped with the necessary technology for rapid response to crime. These would include a direct connection to the system switch board alerting them of emergency calls and locations. Furthermore, these vehicles must be equipped with computer units to check motorists, monitor speeds, and navigate locations. It would also put road users on check about compliance.

Walkie-talkie communication devise and other system units in police cars are highly recommended. Such communication gadgets would enhance effective tracking of various culprits of different crimes, either during police chase; information processing, or messaging. It is also beneficial when institutions and individuals donate vehicles to the Nigerian Police. However, these vehicles must be customized with the latest technology, to enable users perform different security tasks. Other issues that are important to innovation in the Nigerian Police are; nature of police stations, training, academy, and welfare.

Lots of pathetic pictures in the social media of police stations across the country are most terrifying. The Police Stations in Nigeria today are below standard. But every police station should be highly computerized and equipped with the latest communication devises, including closed- circuit television (CCTV) and other modern gadgets. The system must be connected to a national police number with an area code so that they could be activated once a crime is being committed within their jurisdiction. It is widely assumed that nothing works in Nigeria but this is a wrong perception. Nigeria can actually make things work as concerned citizens and with the right people in office. Also, the issue of the Nigerian Police being underfunded must also be addressed in order to fully rehabilitate this department. Every police station should be a model. As Nigeria upgrades these various aspects of her police, she must also deal with the most important aspect which is the training of officers.

Nigerian Police Force should be commended for doing so much in the midst of so little. Even with surmounting issues, they have been able to capture the worst of criminals, suppress disturbances, and coordinate a chain of information leading to unveiling of some heinous crimes within the society

With the upgrade, comes a need for the training of the different caliber of the police. This would apply to every personnel in all the units. These training could come at different levels; from the officer who receives calls to the one in the operating room. It must also extend to the behavioral aspect of the personnel management. Every officer is first a human-being with personal issues, so they have to be trained to separate these issues from their individual tasks. The realization of what the police is all about should make officers passionate about their work. The training could either be done overseas or in Nigeria, based on the capacity. There are various consultants and facilitators who are professionals in this and could bring the training to their doorsteps. However, there are other training levels which absolutely might require that the trainees travel abroad because of the magnitude of equipment or technologies needed. In all, it is highly advised that the police be trained periodically and their equipment be upgraded at various aspects of their job execution.

The issue of police training schools must also be addressed. In Nigeria, a general overhaul of the police academy would be recommended. Their training institutions must be up to standard at all levels. The hostels, food, equipment, and amenities must be provided with high quality. The Trainees/recruits must be in good shape and the health department must be well equipped. Qualified trainers and instructors must be used to ensure quality education. All these are achievable and could make the Nigerian Police the best in the continent, and also enable them to compete with their global counterparts.

Furthermore, the issue of police welfare has been one that no government has been able to solve. It has created a lot of controversies in the past and so many individuals have offered different views and solutions. However, one of the best ways to create good employee motivation is through welfare. It was once said that bankers spend so much time at work but hardly complain. This might be because their welfare package is quite commendable. Meanwhile, the ones who are meant to be protecting the people and ensuring peace and safety are the worst paid and less maintained. Nigerians have seen and felt disgusted at the sight of various police accommodations in the country popularly known as “Barracks.” These buildings are so dilapidated that one wonders how safe they are with children living in them. But these are where men and women of the police go back to after hard days’ work. Such condition is unacceptable. These facilities could be renovated. Furthermore, officers should be given accommodation packages to assist them in getting better homes.

When one sees a policeman abroad, they are filled with a sense of awe and pride at their dressing and general composure. These men and women are always neatly dressed, polite and well behaved at all times. They are equally trained and prepared to fight crime. A good look at Nigerian police officers on the street reveals despair, a sense of lack of passion and frustration. This cuts across to their attitude, which is often aggressive outbursts and errors of fatal accidental trigger discharges. Such mishaps from supposedly trained officers are a complete joke. Nigeria cannot allow this to be the picture of her Police Force. It has to be reformed.

Furthermore, the salary of the average policeman is so meager that it cannot even afford them the worst kind of livelihood. In fact, the widespread bribery and corruption among the officers have been blamed on poor salaries and benefits. No matter how much people stress on the issue of corruption, if Nigeria do not improve the welfare package of their police, there would certainly be no headway in that discussion. As a country, Nigeria must make sure that those entrusted with protecting lives and properties must be well taken care of at all levels. It is not just the top officers, but also the very least ones armed to go after criminals.

Finally, the Nigerian Police Force should be commended for doing so much in the midst of so little. Even with surmounting issues, they have been able to capture the worst of criminals, suppress disturbances, and coordinate a chain of information leading to unveiling of some heinous crimes within the society. All these can be improved on with much greater and lasting results. Once aforementioned recommendations are put in place, Nigeria would be on the way to having the best Police Force in Africa and indeed the world.

? Princess Pamela Uloma Adikwu is the former editor of the African Dame. She is affiliated with writers at the Center for Research, Information Management and Media Development (CRIMMD).

Amnesty accuses Nigerian police unit of torture and bribery demands

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LAGOS (Reuters) – A Nigerian police unit that focuses on robberies was accused by Amnesty International on Wednesday of torturing suspects held in custody and demanding bribes to free them.

The human rights campaign group said people arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) were subjected to hanging, starvation, beatings, shootings and mock executions “until they either make a ‘confession’ or pay officers a bribe to be released”.

A Nigeria Police Force spokesman did not respond to calls and text message requests for a comment on Amnesty’s report.

A 32-year-old man, Chidi Oluchi, told Amnesty he was tortured after being arrested by SARS officers in the southeastern city of Enugu.

“They started beating me with the side of their machetes and heavy sticks. My mouth was bleeding and my vision became blurred,” he said, adding that he was released after paying SARS officers 25,500 naira ($80).

Amnesty said it was told by a senior officer that around 40 officers accused of manhandling detainees had been transferred to other stations in April 2016, although he did not say whether the claims against them had been investigated.

“It is time for the authorities to ensure that officers responsible for such human rights violations are finally held accountable,” said Amnesty’s Nigeria researcher, Damian Ugwu.

“There is also an urgent need for robust legislation that ensures all acts of torture are offences under Nigeria’s criminal law.”

Nigeria – Rights group plans massive protest over arrest of their leader

DPS

Human Rights group ‘The Due Process Advocates’ threatens a showdown  over the arrest of their leader, Emeka Ugwuonye

‎A human rights group, The Due Process Advocates (DPA) has bitterly challenged the Nigerian government over the arrest of the leader by the members of the law enforcement. DPA leader and facilitator, Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye who is also a principal Counsel at ECULAW GROUP based in Washington D.C. was taken away by the Nigerian Law enforcement in a process described by a DPA  representative Attorney Kingsley Ughe as, “abuse of due process and flagrant violation of rule of law by men and officers of the Nigerian Police. “

DPA leader and facilitator, Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye who is also a principal Counsel at ECULAW GROUP based in Washington D.C. was taken away by the Nigerian Law enforcement
DPA leader and facilitator, Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye who is also a principal Counsel at ECULAW GROUP based in Washington D.C. was taken away by the Nigerian Law enforcement

Ughe confirmed that Ugwuonye was kidnapped, led away and forcibly flown to the dark cell of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Command at the Federal Capital, Abuja. While the Nigerian authorities are not commenting on the case, documents show that Ugwuonye was being charged for “concealment” – an allegation described by Ughe as “meaningless.”

In his detailed account of Ugwuonye’s brush with the law, Ughe stated, “A crack team of police officers from the anti-kidnapping squad of the Criminal Investigation Department of the FCT Police Command barged into our office in plain clothes welding automatic assault war-issued riffles. They were six in number and roughly demanded to see Mr. Emeka Ugwuonye. The chambers’ admin officer informed them that Mr. Emeka was attending to docket responsibility in court.”

Ughe continued in his account, “The initial suspicion was that they were hired assassins. Amidst the chaos and confusion, some lawyers sneaked out of the office and alerted the security personnel guiding the office complex of ECULAW & Co. The invading marauders retreated. Emeka was immediately contacted while a detachment of lawyers from the firm quickly rushed down to the nearby Bar Beach Police Station, Victoria Island, ostensibly to get police protection for Emeka and the firm. Surprisingly, the lawyers met these same invaders in the office of the DPO of the Bar Beach Police Station where they positively identified themselves as officers of the Anti-kidnapping squad of the FCT Police Command, Abuja.”

Attorney Kingsley Ughe confirmed that Ugwuonye was kidnapped, led away and forcibly flown to the dark cell of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Command at the Federal Capital, Abuja.
Attorney Kingsley Ughe confirmed that Ugwuonye was kidnapped, led away and forcibly flown to the dark cell of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Command at the Federal Capital, Abuja.

In a long memo circulated to the group proposing a massive protest, Ughe wrote in part, “We want to send a clear note of warning in no uncertain terms that we shall vigorously defend and protect Emeka Ugwuonye’s fundamental human rights and this we shall do without fear or favor, no matter whose ox gored. The era of impunity and wanton detention of citizens on the most spurious allegation is gone. It is even more shocking that the Nigerian Police authority could expend enormous resources and finance to arrest a man for an offence defined in their arrest warrant as “CONCEALMENT.” As a firm, we are at a loss what the police authority meant by CONCEALMENT and whether there is such a known offence under Nigerian law.”

The group it was gathered has determined to commence what it tagged, “Mother Of All Protests. “Our resolve as a group, is once again being challenged by wrathful small men wielding naked power. Our principles are being crudely assaulted by sponsored forces of retrogression and their civilian pay master like the likes of David Aiyedogbon of dubious financial origin. All members of DPA are hereby notified of the commencement of the ‘Mother of All Protests (Phase One)” the memo read.

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