Reform the Police and End the Violence

Abstract

Policing in Nigeria has never been this challenging. Aside from accusations of violence and brutality, the police are widely regarded as ineffective and inefficient. While insecurity surges across the country, regional security networks are springing up in an uncoordinated manner, raising questions about ownership and control. This further gave rise to agitations for either community policing and state police from the political class, civil societies, and traditional institutions. This chapter situates police violence in the context of the popular #EndSARS# protest and reviews issues surrounding police reforms in Nigeria. Within the context of the challenging insecurity in the north central region, the chapter looks at the merits and demerits of community police and state police to determine what works and makes recommendations on the appropriate policing strategy in the region.