ON WINNING THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE (NPF)
By Zik Gbemre
Recently, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, appealed to the Nigerian public not to corrupt personnel of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) by giving them bribe. Mr. Arase made the appeal while fielding questions from journalists during a meeting with senior officers on the issue of whether or not, bail was free. In his words: “We have a zero tolerance for payment of money to free suspect. I am appealing to members of the public, not to corrupt my men; It takes two to tango. If they ask you for bribe and you refuse to give, and you have avenues where your grievances can be ventilated, I do not see any reason why you should give them bribe. The Commissioner of Police is there; the Area Commander is there; the DPO is there; and the technical platform (to report corrupt policemen) is there. We have opened ourselves to public accountability. So, you cannot now say the whole problem should be blamed on the police force’’, he said.
Let us first reiterate here that we are in support of the IGP’s anti-corruption crusade in the NPF, however, while we commend and appreciate the Arase for coming out to boldly make this statement and reiterate his stands against corruption in the NPF, let us also emphasize here that there are many issues which have made the Nigerian police to be bedeviled with corrupt practices. These issues are the ‘root causes’ behind every corrupt practice we see in the NPF, and if these issues, which we are going to highlight below, are not addressed holistically, the said crusade against corruption in the Police Force will just be another mere talk that will yield no tangible results. So, mere saying it will not address corruption in the NPF. We ask ourselves some pertinent questions like what makes an average Nigerian Police Officer to collect bribe, especially when it pertains a case. Why are most Nigerian Police Officers ‘easily bribable’ by the public? Why is the ‘public’s image’ about Nigerian Police Officers not a pleasant one? What could be responsible for this deplorable image of the Nigerian Police Force in the eyes of the public? These and many more are the questions the IG, the Government and relevant authorities should be asking and finding answers to, if we are to holistically address the problem of corruption in the Nigerian Police Force.
For a start, it will be foolhardy for us to think that the issue of corruption will be addressed in the Nigerian Police Force when the welfare and wellbeing of the average Nigerian Police Officer, as well as the operational logistics of Police officers and its maintenance are nothing to write home about.
A critical look at the Nigerian Police Force and its operational challenges/handicaps, one would weep for the nation’s security outfit. So, it is not enough to come out and make statements to fight corruption in the NPF, there is need to address some of these challenges that are the root causes that make the average Police Officer corruptible. For instance, it is sad that Nigerian Police officers are made to purchase and make their own uniforms. That means, they buy their own materials and take them to their tailors to be sewn. Even other things like their laminated or plastic ID cards, shoes; protective hand gloves, etc. are mostly provided by the police officers themselves. And with these noticeable pathetic appearances (sometimes tattered and faded uniforms), they patrol the streets, all looking so unkempt. It makes one to wonder what is happening with their welfare package. Why should the nation’s security outfit be left in such laughable status?
This pathetic situation is simply caused as a result of inadequate funding and poor management structures. This has contributed to the high level of corruption amongst and within the NPF. So, rather than effectively ensure law and order, they sometimes engage in all sorts of unwholesome acts just to make ends meet. But ‘who would blame them’, it is irrational to expect a Police officer with a family of five, for example, to effectively carry out his duties in the midst of stupendous wealth controlled and enjoyed by political leaders in government, when his own welfare/well-being and that of his family are not adequately catered for because of the poor state of his job as a police officer. Something urgently and ‘holistically’ needs to be done to uplift the image of the NPF if much is expected of them in the area of effective service delivery.
Apart from the complete uniforms provided to every Nigerian Police Officer when they enter the Force, they are left to fend for their physical outlook in the years ahead. Therefore what is meant to be a “uniform” is no longer a uniform for all police officers to ‘look alike’, because every officer is expected to provide their own uniforms and shoes as the years roll by. To address this, we expect that every Nigerian Police Officer should be provided with two sets of complete uniforms and kits in a year.
Another issue that needs to be addressed (if the relevant authorities are serious in the fight against corruption in the NPF), is the adequate provision of ‘working tools/logistics’ and ‘operational costs’ that will make the average police officer be independent of complainants support in the investigation of reported cases for instance. We find it appalling that police officers are not given budgets to expend on investigating criminal cases. Most times, they depend on complainants and even suspects in a case to augment or pay for cases to be investigated by the police. This includes the provision of many items like top-up (recharge cards), transportation, money to fuel their patrol vehicles etc. In situations where police officers are not properly funded to carry out their investigations and operations, it will be impossible for them not to collect bribe from complainants and suspects. Often times, it is the money they collect from complainants that police officers use to fuel and maintain their vehicles, buy recharge cards for their phones, in other to investigate cases or go to arrest suspects. If someone comes to make a complaint to the Police, is it the Police officer that is expected to use his/her meager pay to go and invite/arrest suspects or make the necessary calls necessary in addressing the case? Even corporate companies provide recharge cards for their employees to address the companies businesses, talk less of those whose responsibility is to secure public peace and fight crime. How do we expect police officers to become bribable when these operational logistics needs are not addressed? Many Police Stations today are having hundreds of cases in their hands that they cannot give the necessary attention because of inadequate or lack of operational logistics. Some Police Stations even collect money from complainants, witnesses and suspects that are expected to make Police Statements in order to buy pen, writing sheets and files. That is how bad the situation has become.
The outlook of most Police Stations is also not encouraging for cases to be given the needed attention. With no decent chairs and tables, electronic appliances and communication gadgets, it becomes difficult and uncomfortable for the average police officer to find the job interesting. Even their home, that is Police Barracks, is bedeviled with so much dilapidated structures that are signs of years of neglect and lack of maintenance. Whether we are aware of this or not, these ‘unhealthy and unattractive working conditions’ that are faced by the average police officer on a daily basis, affects his psychic and emotional state of mind to remain committed towards fighting crime. These issues are also the foundation that breeds corruption to thrive.
Back in those colonial days, I still remember that our Police Stations back then had their own petrol stations to constantly fuel their patrol vehicles. They also had their own mechanic workshops and stores with all the relevant car spare parts to regularly maintain their vehicles, both heavy duty and smaller vehicles. Even the Police Barracks back then were usually well-furnished for police officers to occupy. But today, all that is gone, making the job of policing even more difficult for our police officers to thrive in their duties. But despite these limitations, unfriendly and aggressive working environment that our Nigerian police officers are faced with in their line of duty, some of them still manage to be courageous in making the necessary sacrifices in securing our society.
It is inappropriate to expect police officers to fend for themselves and take care of their operational costs while investigating a criminal or civil case. Such logistics should be adequately budgeted and provided for in every Police Station across the nation. We believe every Police Station should have budgets that will primarily be meant for the operational costs and other logistics for investigating any case.
This will make men and officers of the NPF to stay focused and committed without any biaze or susceptible to receiving bribes in investigating a case. In a situation where complainants and suspects are expected to ‘support the police’ for such operational costs, it will be difficult to get timely and true justice. Like they say; He that pays the piper, dictates the tune. Similar to this, another area that needs to be sorted out is the logistic costs of police officers that are transferred from one station/state/command to another. Transferred police officers should be given enough funds to fend and accommodate themselves, immediately they get to their new stations, before their permanent accommodations and stations are sorted out. The NPF could have Guest Houses well equipped, in each state to address this. It is appalling to find Transferred Police office
Still on the provision of operational logistics, it is rather unfortunate that most Police Stations across the country are not equipped with adequate Radio Communication gadgets and Walkie-talkies and ‘motorable’ patrol-vehicles. And where, for instance they have patrol vehicles, such vehicles are usually rickety and not fueled/maintained to always be ready to move whenever needed, hence their purpose is often defeated. The police needs good motorable vehicles and Modern Radio Communication gadgets to effectively and efficiently carry out their jobs. The Police will not be able to move and answer ‘distress calls’ when they arise, without these operational logistics.
The stated issues are some of the problems that need to be addressed, concerning the overall welfare and effectiveness of the Police. These issues have ultimately contributed to the high level of corruption amongst and within the NPF. So, rather than ensure law and order and adequately fight crime, they engage in all manners of unwholesome acts as police officers. There is need to drastically transform the “outlook” of the average Nigerian Police officer by providing them with the necessary operational package and ‘tools’ to work with in addressing crime.
Another problem being faced by the Nigerian Police is that of lawyers and the Judicial Court. In a situation where hired/paid lawyers are fond of getting court injunctions to stop and prevent the police from inviting suspects for questioning or arresting them, then it becomes difficult for the police to address some certain cases. Sometimes this practically rubbishes all the investigative efforts put forward by a police officer while trying to address a case. Unless there is Court Order (which should be obeyed) restraining the police from arresting someone regarding a case, we do not see the reason why a supposed court injunction should prevent the police from going ahead to investigate a case to its logical conclusion. These are some of the issues the IG and relevant security authorities should put into consideration in understanding the plight being faced by Nigerian police officers.
We are however glad that the new Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, is on the same page with us and has ready set the motion to address most of these issues we have raised here. For instance, while talking about the need to initiate trainings that will make police officers more effective and in turn change the poor public perception of the police, Mr. Arase noted that their relationship with the public and the public perception of the NPF is negative, whether rightly or wrongly. In his words: “Perceptions are issues that are subjective, but at the same time there are certain things that the members of the public expect that a good Policeman should do. They would not want a Police officer to be corrupt; and they would want him/her to be civil. They expect him/her to be polite. They would want him to treat Nigerians with a lot of respect, because Nigerians have not been captured and they are supposed to be given all the respect and if the tax payers fees and the monies are been invested in you as of right and they would demand a lot of things from you.
“At the same time too, we would be able to see how we can connect with the community. There is no Police Force in the world that can perform without information from members of the community. You must be able to win the confidence of the community for you to be able to get that information. I think it is going to be a two-way thing for us to be able to look at our society, involving all the strategic stakeholders, the non-state actors and say, ‘look, this is your Police Force, you cannot go and bring a Police Force from anywhere in the world.’ Globally, if you look at policing in the advanced countries within Europe or America, they have gone through this process of redefining itself, remodeling itself and its not a one fixed thing. Members of the public should also learn to be very patient with the Police. When you talk about the depth of the average Policeman, the professionalism of the average policeman is not enough for him to be able to confront issues that he is dealing with, if there is no technical platform to back it up. If you go through central London in a period of maybe about three to four hours, you are captured within the system and in case anything happens, it’s just to zero-in there and that is why the Metropolitan Police have a 90 per cent success rate, in terms of homicide cases, as you cannot commit offence and escape the eagle eye of their surveillance system. Those are the issues we are dealing with. Intelligence is very key.
“I don’t want a situation where people are detained unnecessarily. I expect that my Policemen should be sufficiently trained enough to, say if a case is reported to them, they are able to gather evidential proof about those cases. Bank robberies, for example, are cases where you can get records from the bank or corporate affairs. You assemble these things before you invite whomever the suspect you think you are inviting. That way, you limit the pre-trial detention period that they stay in our facilities. I think that is one area we have to rarely work on, because if you invite somebody and you say he has committed an offence, you invite him to a Police facility, keep him in custody and start looking for evidence. The period you have kept him there is very long and his relations come and start asking for bail. Once they start asking for bail, the corruption circle is initiated, because to grant that bail, you start putting conditions here and there. In the final analysis, money change hands.
“These are areas I know are capable of exposing my officers to corruption. I want to remove them from the system. I have already directed that on no account should anybody be invited to any Police station when they don’t have sufficient evidence to confront the person. This is because if you have the evidence and you confront the person within 48 hours, you should be able to make up your mind if the truth has been told or you are able to keep the person in custody,” said the IGF.
Explaining how he intends to tackle corruption in the Force, Mr. Arase also expressed that: “A Policeman is corrupt because he is not very sure of the future. If he thinks that his future is not guaranteed, the tendency for him to be corrupt is very high. Also, don’t forget that corruption is something pathological. Once you are corrupt, if I put you where they distribute papers, i.e. stationeries, you will still steal it. We have areas where we can touch the lives of our officers, especially the inspectors, rank and file. We have a corporative society and have set up mortgage institutions, like the microfinance bank. In our Works department, we have been able to attract the best brains we can get from the system, including quantity surveyors and civil engineers and we now have an investment department.”
Succinctly, the issues raised above are far more “pressing needs” that the NPF authorities and the government should address the issue of corruption in the Force and at the same time adequately position police officers and men in combating the overwhelming increase in criminal activities in the country. It is no news that criminals today have gone sophisticated and dynamic in perpetrating their crimes. The question is what has the NPF (regarded as the nation’s security outfit saddled with the responsibility of keeping public order/preventing and solving crimes of diverse nature), done or is doing to meet-up with this sophistication of crime? What has the government, as custodians of the country’s resources, done or is doing in this regard, especially in taking good care of the ‘needs’ and requirements’ of the NPF to effectively carry out their functions?
What should matter, and should be the primary focus of the Federal and State Governments and authorities of the NPF, is how the Nigerian Police can holistically improve to adequately combat/address/control the rising wave of diverse crimes and acts of terrorism. We are living in a world ‘without borders’ which is made more accessible by rapid transportation, the internet, mobile phones and satellite communication systems. Criminals are daily exploiting this development to perpetrate crime. We now have criminal syndicates that are not only local but also transnational. This obviously requires a ‘different approach’ on the part of the NPF to resolve. Criminals are exploiting the advancement in technology to perpetrate crime, hence, it is expedient that the NPF is well-funded and provided with much more advanced technology-oriented strategies to adequately fight crime. The NPF should be positioned and be made to have superior ‘tech’ and sophisticated methods, including the use of Forensics and science to fight crime, just like it is observed in advanced countries.
According to IG Arase: “If crime has become scientific and technological, the response to it and the officers who are suppose to respond to it should also be thinking and mentally mobile. They should be in a situation where they should be able to think outside the box.” On equipping the Police in this area, the IG noted that he can only articulate the need of the Police, but he does not have the resources directly to address this. In his words: “We have other departments that oversight the NPF. We would say operationally, it is outside the way, but the ones that impinge directly on the operational capacity of the NPF is the Ministry, because they are the ones who keep our money as oversight function.” This is why we have advised that the Nigerian Police Force should have their own separate yearly budgets that would address all their operational needs and logistics that are not controlled or dictated by government Executives.
It is sad that many years of underfunding, mismanagement, misappropriation and misplacement of priorities have left us with a Police Force that could not confidently and reliably perform its constitutional roles effectively and efficiently. Hence, the nation is bedeviled by problems of insecurity and violent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, pipeline vandalization and terrorism of high-magnitude/proportions. We all will agree with the fact that it is practically impossible to have personnel of the NPF stay “committed” at their jobs and give it their “best” and all the creative skills they can muster, if their “basic welfare” and well-being in relation to the jobs are not adequately taken care of or given the required attention.
For us to have a ‘crime-free’ society, there is need to appropriately care for those that are responsible for providing the security service in the first place. It is only when this is holistically sorted out, that we can now hold the men and officers of the NPF responsible for not doing their job efficiently or said to be corrupt.
Zik Gbemre, JP
National Coordinator
Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC)
No.28, Opi Street, Ugboroke Layout, Effurun-Warri,
P.O. Box 2254, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.
Tel: +2348026428271
+2348052106013
Website: www.ndpc-zik.org
