Security experts under the auspices of Nextier have attributed persistent police brutality and human rights violations in Nigeria to a policing culture rooted in colonial-era militarisation and coercion. In a new policy brief titled "From Force to Service: Reframing Policing Culture and Human Rights Compliance in Nigeria," the analysts called for a fundamental shift from a force-driven policing model to a service-oriented institution anchored on accountability, democratic governance, and respect for human rights.
Colonial Roots of Policing Crisis
The report, authored by Chibuike Njoku and Ndu Nwokolo, argues that Nigeria's policing crisis reflects a deeper institutional culture problem driven by decades of militarised policing practices, weak accountability systems, corruption, and recurring human rights abuses. Tracing the roots of the current policing structure to the colonial era, the report stated that policing institutions were historically established to suppress resistance and protect state authority rather than serve citizens. It noted that the colonial legacy continues to shape a state-centred policing model that prioritises coercion, force, and regime stability over public service and community partnership.
Recent Incident Highlights Brutality
The analysts cited the April 2026 killing of a 28-year-old man in Effurun, Delta State, allegedly by an Assistant Superintendent of Police. Viral footage of the incident reportedly showed the victim seated on the ground with his hands tied behind his back while pleading for his life before being shot. This event intensified concerns over police brutality and democratic governance in the country. The report stated that allegations of arbitrary arrests, torture, extortion, unlawful detention, and extrajudicial killings continue to undermine trust in law enforcement agencies despite ongoing operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.
EndSARS Legacy
The analysts revisited the legacy of the EndSARS protests, describing the demonstrations as a watershed moment that exposed widespread frustration over alleged abuses by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). According to the report, the protests evolved into a broader national demand for justice, accountability, and institutional reform. However, concerns persist regarding the depth and sustainability of reforms introduced after the protests. The report warned that the resulting trust deficit poses significant risks to national security because effective policing depends largely on public cooperation, intelligence sharing, and institutional legitimacy. "Where citizens perceive the police as abusive or unaccountable, trust declines, weakening both law enforcement effectiveness and democratic stability," the report stated.
Corruption and Oversight Failures
The analysts identified corruption, extortion, weak disciplinary systems, and ineffective oversight structures as key factors eroding public confidence in policing institutions. The report also criticised the limited enforcement powers and inadequate funding of the National Human Rights Commission, arguing that these constraints undermine accountability efforts. To address the challenges, the authors recommended comprehensive police reform legislation that would redefine policing as a rights-based public service institution and establish an independent national policing oversight commission with investigative and disciplinary powers.
