Government to Blame for Nigeria Police Challenges – Professor

• Professor Etannibi Alemika attributed issues within the Nigeria Police Force to poor governance, urging citizens to stop blaming police officers
• Alemika emphasized that police performance reflects the quality of governance, stating that effective policing requires good governance and accountability

Professor Etannibi Alemika, a criminology and sociology of law expert, has attributed the problems within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to poor governance in the country.

Speaking in Ibadan during a two-day citizens’ engagement workshop on police reform, Alemika urged Nigerians to stop blaming police officers for the institution’s failings. He described the police as agents of the state, functioning under the government’s directives.

“What you see in the police reflects the quality of governance. The government is the principal, while the police are the agents. Without good governance, you cannot have better policing. The police are a mirror of national ethos,” Alemika said.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Agency for Development supported the workshop, which included civil society members, media representatives, and security agencies.

Peter Maduoma, Acting Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, also addressed the workshop. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to reform the NPF, aiming to transform it into a law-abiding and citizen-focused institution.

Maduoma noted, “Police reform is an exercise that requires the involvement of all stakeholders. We need a force that prioritizes the safety of every citizen over protecting only the government and politically exposed individuals.”

He highlighted the importance of reform, especially given the country’s current security challenges. Maduoma assured participants of the CLEEN Foundation’s commitment to supporting the NPF through various initiatives in partnership with development organizations like the UNDP.

“A transformed Nigeria Police is achievable only through active citizen engagement and practical suggestions. Together, we can create a people-friendly police force dedicated to securing lives and property across the nation,” he added.