COMMUNITY POLICING IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

Olabambo Evelyn Akinyemi

Abstract


The provision of security is viewed as the most fundamental obligation of any nation. States that enjoy the legitimate use of force in the protection of its citizenry has its people and the nation at heart. But this scenario is yet to be pictured in Nigeria as presently the nation is grappling with insecurity such that it has become a big headed monster that the government is finding too difficult to defeat. Ranging from insurgency, banditry, farmer-herder clashes to the current spade of kidnap, Nigeria is on a daily basis confronted with security threats that the security apparatus established for the main purpose of internal security is unable to cope with the situation. Though huge resources have been allocated and spent towards ensuring national peace and security, relative gains in this regard is yet to be recorded. As part of government’s efforts to ensuring the security of lives and properties of Nigerians, the Police Force was reformed and community policing was adopted to allow for a symbiotic relationship between the police and members of the society so as to enhance peace and security. However, this strategy is yet to produce results. Using a systematic review of literature it was observed the community policing in Nigeria has only been adopted in principle as full implementation of its tenets is yet to be practiced. Secondly, the challenges that confront the formal security framework of the country are yet to be address such that the required level of trust and partnership between members of the society and the police is to be achieved. The study, therefore recommend that if peace and security is to be guaranteed in Nigeria, a community policing devoid of politics and corrupt practices must be in place. This will help build the confidence level required for information sharing and crime fighting. 

Keywords


Community Policing, Insecurity, Partnership, Police, National Peace.

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References


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