By Adewole Kehinde
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney
The Nigeria Police Force is the principal law enforcement and the lead security agency in Nigeria. It was designated by the 1999 constitution as the national police of Nigeria, with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country. As of 2021, it had a staff strength of about 371,800.
There are currently plans to increase the force to 650,000, adding 280,000 recruits to the existing 370,000. The Nigeria Police Force is a very large organisation consisting of 36 State commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) grouped into 17 zones and 8 administrative organs.
In September 2020, the Nigerian National Assembly passed the Police Reform Bill 2020, which was signed into law by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on 16 September 2020. The new law, known as the Nigeria Police Act of 2020 (as amended), repeals the Police Act Cap. P19. Laws of the Federation, 2004, and provides for a more effective and well-organized Police Force, driven by the principles of transparency and accountability in its operations and management of its resources.
It also addresses the challenges of structuring, appointments, promotions, discipline, postings, living conditions, pension and retirement benefits of the Nigeria Police Force
On 15 Apr 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the first week of April as police week and the last day of the week, April 7, as National Police Day.
President Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the maiden edition of the award ceremony of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations held at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
He explained that the federal government has approved the first week of April as police week and the last day of the week as National Police Day to honour the Police Force in the life of this great nation, adding that they have approved the adoption of the first week of April as Police Week. “The last day of the week, the 7th of April, is declared National Police Day in Nigeria”. Tinubu stressed.
It’s great that Nigeria will have a National Police Day. I applaud President Bola Tinubu’s government for designating April 7 as National Police Day each year to commemorate our law enforcement officers who frequently sacrifice their comfort, convenience, and lives to keep the rest of the people safe.
Upholding peace and order and protecting the populace are the specific national constitutional mandates of the Nigeria Police. Their staff is the main law enforcement organisation, and they are always on duty. The “dirtiest” jobs that result from human cohabitation are assigned to them, and they bear the brunt of society’s problems.
Few intelligent, aspirational young people choose the police as their first career choice because our previously well-regarded, well-trained, and effective police force—which was housed in gleaming barracks—has been so neglected over the years. The officers and staff’s pervasive corruption as a result of the egregious carelessness led to an increase in violence and acts of impunity against citizens, particularly young people.
Restoring the mutual respect between the public and their police must be the primary goal of the reforms that President Tinubu stated his administration has started. The police officers are members of and from the community. Antagonism and suspicion between the two parties are unnecessary.
As the Nigeria Police sets to organise its maiden National Police Day on April 7, 2025, in Abuja, there is a need to address the problems of increasing professionalism, welfare, training, equipment, and manpower to achieve the vision of IGP Egbetokun for the Nigeria Police, which centres on a professionally competent, service-driven, rule-of-law compliant, and people-friendly force that supports government initiatives for economic recovery, growth, and social/political development.
Adewole Kehinde writes from Abuja. 08166240846. kennyadewole@gmail.com @kennyadewole
