Security experts under the aegis of Nextier have attributed persistent cases of police brutality and human rights violations in Nigeria to a policing culture rooted in colonial-era militarisation and coercion.
Policy Brief Calls for Fundamental Shift
In a new policy brief titled “From ‘Force’ to ‘Service’: Reframing Policing Culture and Human Rights Compliance in Nigeria,” the analysts called for a fundamental shift from a force-driven policing model to a service-oriented institution anchored on accountability, democratic governance, and respect for human rights. The report was authored by Chibuike Njoku and Ndu Nwokolo under Nextier.
Deep-Rooted Institutional Culture Problem
According to the brief, Nigeria’s policing crisis reflects a deeper institutional culture problem shaped by decades of militarised practices, weak accountability systems, corruption, and recurring human rights abuses. The analysts cited the April 2026 killing of a 28-year-old man in Effurun, Delta State, allegedly by a police officer, as an example of excessive use of force and declining public trust in law enforcement.
They noted that viral footage of the incident, which reportedly showed the victim restrained and pleading before being shot, intensified public concern over police conduct and accountability. The report further stated that allegations of arbitrary arrests, torture, extortion, unlawful detention, and extrajudicial killings continue to undermine confidence in security agencies, despite ongoing operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.
End SARS Protests as Watershed Moment
It also revisited the End SARS protests, describing them as a watershed moment that exposed widespread frustration over alleged abuses by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). According to the analysts, the protests evolved into a broader national demand for justice, accountability, and institutional reform, though questions remain about the depth and sustainability of reforms since then.
Colonial Origins of Policing System
Tracing the origins of Nigeria’s policing system to the colonial era, the report argued that it was originally designed to suppress resistance and enforce state control rather than serve citizens. It added that this legacy continues to influence a state-centric policing model that prioritises coercion and regime stability over community partnership and public service.
The report warned that this trust deficit poses risks to national security, stressing that effective policing depends on public cooperation, intelligence sharing, and institutional legitimacy. “Where citizens perceive the police as abusive or unaccountable, trust declines, weakening both law enforcement effectiveness and democratic stability,” the brief stated.
Key Drivers of Declining Confidence
The analysts identified corruption, extortion, weak disciplinary systems, and poor oversight mechanisms as key drivers of declining public confidence in policing institutions. They also criticised the limited capacity and weak enforcement powers of the National Human Rights Commission, arguing that this undermines accountability efforts.
Recommendations for Reform
To address the challenges, the report recommended comprehensive police reform legislation to redefine policing as a rights-based public service and establish an independent oversight body with investigative and disciplinary authority. It further called for improved funding for human rights training, better welfare for officers, adoption of body cameras and digital accountability tools, and integration of de-escalation techniques into police training.
The brief urged the National Assembly to strengthen legal frameworks on police accountability and mandate regular public reporting on complaints, disciplinary actions, arrests, and use-of-force incidents. Drawing lessons from reforms in Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and the United Kingdom, the analysts said meaningful reform would require strong political will, institutional transparency, and collaboration between security agencies and communities.
They concluded that Nigeria’s long-term security and democratic stability depend on whether policing institutions fully embrace accountability, legitimacy, and respect for human rights as core operational principles.
