This study examined the prominent role played by the Nigeria Police in the security of lives and properties, and how their actions or inactions influence the development of the society. Its primary focus is on the fact that security is the major determinant of the development of any society. It also critically examined the role of the Nigeria Police in protecting the security image of the Country. It ramified the concepts of national security and national development, how they are intertwined and linked them to the Nigerian society.
This study employed secondary data as books journals, textbooks, newspapers and magazines were consulted. The study observed the causes of the ineffectiveness of the Nigeria police, it evaluated the issues raised and concluded that in curbing the menace of insecurity, a pro-active reaction of the generality of the Nigerians and not the Nigeria Police or government alone, would go a long way in creating a more conducive environment for national development to thrive.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Title Page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Objectives of the Study
1.5 Research Propositions
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the study
1.8 Limitations of the Study
1.9 Methodology of the Study
1.9.1 Research Design
1.9.2 Source of Data
1.9.3 Source of Data Collection
1.9.4 Source of Data Analysis
1.10 Organization of the Study
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.0. Introduction
2.1 Literature Review
2.1.1 The Concept of Law and Law Enforcement
2.1.1.2 Types of Law Enforcement Agencies
2.1.2 Law and the Nigeria Police
2.1.3 Security
2.1.4 Policing and National Security
2.1.5 National Development
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Gaps in Literature
CHAPTER THREE: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES AND PROBLEMS OF THE NIGERIA POLICE
3.1 The Nigeria Police
3.1.1 History of the Police Force
3.1.2 Colonial History of the Nigeria Police Force
3.1.3 The Nigeria Police Force in the Post-Colonial Era
3.1.4. Police in Contemporary Nigeria
3.1.5. Leadership in the Nigeria Police Force from 1930 to date
3.1.6 Nigeria Police Force's Vision
3.1.7 Nigeria Police Force's Mission
3.1.8. Objectives of the Nigeria Police
3.1.9 Functions and Powers of the Nigeria Police
3.1.10 Structure of the Nigeria Police
3.1.10.1 Command (Authority) Structure
3.1.10.2 Administrative Structure
3.1.10.3 Organizational Structure
3.1.11 The Nigeria Police Force Organogram
3.1.12 Nigeria Police Affairs Ministry
3.2 Problems affecting the Nigeria Police
CHAPTER FOUR: THE NIGERIAN POLICE AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
4.1. Introduction.
4.2. The Nigerian Police, Security and National Development in Nigeria
4.3 Causes of Insecurity
4.3.1 Remote (Root) factors
4.3.1.1 Lack of institutional capacity resulting in government failure
4.3.1.2 Pervasive material inequalities and Unfairness
4.3.1.3 Ethno-religious Conflicts
4.3.1.4 Weak Security System
4.3.2 Immediate Factors
4.3.2.1 Porous Borders
4.3.2.2 Rural /Urban Drift
4.3.2.3 Social Irresponsibility of Companies
4.3.2.4 Unemployment/Poverty
4.3.2.5 Terrorism
4.3 The Implication of National security on socio-economic development
4.4 Implications of Insecurity on Business
4.4.1 Potential Business Investment
4.4.2 Existing Business Enterprise
4.5 Factors militating against the effectiveness of the Nigerian Police Force
4.6 Conclusion
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Recommendations
6.5. Conclusion
Bibliography
DEDICATION
This work is dedicated first to God, almighty for His infinite Favor, direction and grace throughout the study.
I dedicate this work also to my parents, Mr.Valentine Ogu and Barr. Mrs Edith Val-Ogu for their spiritual, emotional, financial support and love during the research, and to my beautiful siblings Zuriel and Zaneta.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, I am most grateful to God, my Redeemer, the Alpha and the Omega, the All-Sufficient God, Sovereign Father, for giving me the grace to complete this project. To Him alone be all glory.
I also wish to appreciate the Chancellor, Covenant University, Dr David Oyedepo, who has been a spiritual father and a mentor. Also worthy of note are the Vice Chancellor, Professor A.A.A. Atayero, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration-Professor Shalom Chinedu, the Registrar, Mrs Mary Aboyade and the Dean College of Leadership Development Studies, Professor Charles Ogbulogo.
I am grateful to the Head of Department, Dr. Oluyemi Fayomi. I am most grateful to my supervisor, Dr. Bankole Olorunyomi, for his sacrificial nature that was displayed beyond measures, for his love and support. I thank you for being a father and a mentor. I am happy to be your supervisee.
I am also deeply appreciative of the lecturers in my department: Late Professor Adekunle Amuwo, Professor. Daniel Gberevbie, Associate Professor Sheriff Folarin, Dr.Duruji Moses, Dr. Samuel Oni, Dr. Joshua Segun, Dr. Felix Chidozie, Dr. Owolabi, Dr. Joshua Alabi, Dr.Godwyns Agbude, Mr.Ilemobola Olanrewaju, Mr.Olanrewaju, Mrs. Lady Ajayi, Mrs. Deborah Udoh, Mrs.Faith Olanrewaju, Mr. Muyiwa Ajayi, Mrs. Nchekwube Excellence Oluye, Mrs. Tobi Njoguani, Mr. Ejiro Loremeke, Ms. Adeola Oyeyemi, Miss.Rosemary Poopola- for imparting knowledge at various levels in the course of my stay in Covenant University.
I appreciate Miss Motilewa Deborah, for contributing to the success of this study. My friends Lanre Shobowale, Mercy Ishola, Tunmise Oshanisi, Tobi Aje, Amaka Mbachi, among others, who were always a source of encouragement. Thank you for your support and love.
Val-Ogu Genevra Sopuruchi
ABSTRACT
This study examined the prominent role played by the Nigeria Police in the security of lives and properties, and how their actions or inactions influence the development of the society. Its primary focus is on the fact that security is the major determinant of the development of any society. It also critically examined the role of the Nigeria Police in protecting the security image of the Country. It ramified the concepts of national security and national development, how they are intertwined and linked them to the Nigerian society. This study employed secondary data as books journals, textbooks, newspapers and magazines were consulted. The study observed the causes of the ineffectiveness of the Nigeria police, it evaluated the issues raised and concluded that in curbing the menace of insecurity, a pro-active reaction of the generality of the Nigerians and not the Nigeria Police or government alone, would go a long way in creating a more conducive environment for national development to thrive.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
One of the most prominent challenges that twenty-first century African states face is that of insecurity. Amongst the four arms of the state security system - the Army, Air Force, Navy and Police, the latter has been the most taunted. Customarily, the Police Force, as the closest of all the forces to civilians, is expected to be the protector of the citizenry and the defender of the security image of the country, as is the case in any genuine democratic nation. This, unfortunately, is not the case in Nigeria. Twenty-first century Africa has been regarded as the least developed continent of the world (Omitola and Jiboku, 2009: 49). This thought is not unconnected with the innumerable problems the continent is faced with, chiefly of which has been the challenge of insecurity.
Law enforcement agencies are referred to as agencies set up by law to maintain internal security of the state in the promotion and sustainability of participatory democracy and the rule of law. These bodies or organizations play important roles in the execution of national laws made by the government in the pursuit of national interest and the protection of the national image of Nigeria (Maina, 2006). According to Nwanguma (2012), Security forces have failed to tackle crime and insecurity in Nigeria because they suffer neglect. They are poorly trained, under-motivated and ill-equipped to tackle crime and insecurity. Their remuneration and other benefits are not only inadequate but are hardly paid promptly. Police pensions are also stolen. The lives of officers and men are daily exposed to grave risks, and fatality rate among personnel is unacceptably high.
Nwanguma (2012), believes that the government only uses the police as useful tools to repress critics and opposition in the Nigerian community. Ironically, they are regarded as the Friend of the Public. However, the one-time Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr. Sunday Ehindero, in 2005 embarked on a genuine transformation of the Nigeria Police Force with the dream of a new policing characterized by different duties of the police towards the people (Maina, 2006).
In projecting the security image of any nation, certain people have vital roles to play in terms of policy making. These people include the Police, the Politicians/leaders and of course, the people. If these roles are not properly carried out, then the safety of such nation would be in jeopardy. The role of the police in the pursuit of a safe environment that allows national development to thrive is what informs this study. Basically, the image of the Nigeria Police has been a questionable one. This is as a result of the recent and ever growing security threats in the country. This has led many Nigerians to doubt the ability of the Nigeria Police as it is perceived that the police is doing little or nothing to step into the situation (Mbachu and Eze 2009:1).
Security has to do with freedom from danger or with threats to a nation’s ability to protect and develop itself, promote its cherished values and legitimate interests and enhance the well-being of its people. Thus, internal security could be seen as the freedom from or the absence of those tendencies which could undermine internal cohesion and the cooperate existence of the nation and its ability to maintain its vital institutions for the promotion of its core values and socio-political and economic objectives, as well as meet the legitimate aspirations of the people. Internal security also implies freedom from danger to life and prosperity (Imobighe cited in Oche 2001:76-77). The importance of law and order in the society cannot be exaggerated and the place of enforcement in the scheme of things remains paramount.
This study would shed more light on the role and the importance of the Nigeria Police in ensuring the maintenance of national security. It will also examine the history, and the difficulties faced by the Nigeria Police Force in their pursuit of protecting the country’s security, and the ripple effect these challenges have on national development. States in Africa must rise up to the challenge of insecurity in the continent. For Nigeria, which unarguably is the most populous country in the continent, strict measures must be employed to checkmate insecurity. Most importantly, curbing insecurity involves improving the quality of life of the people, and economic well-being is a sine qua non to ensuring security. (Awolowo, 1968), argues that “when one fails to find solutions to our economic problems, one cannot succeed in solving political and social problems”
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Nigeria is the most populous African state, blessed with a threatening population of over 200 million people, with a wide geographical area spread across thirty-six (36). The country is also a part of the NEKS countries; an acronym for Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa (countries that have been described by analysts as nations with huge untapped markets for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa) (Alkali, 2008). At independence and more than a few years after, the country enjoyed relative security in the West African sub-region because of its steady economic growth and leadership role in the Economic Community of African States (ECOWAS). However, the sudden discovery of crude oil jeopardized the nation’s steady drive towards sustainable economic development, as the focus of federal government shifted from commercial agriculture to crude oil exploration and exploitation (Dode, 2011).
According to Watts (2009, p.3-4) a total of $700 billion oil revenues had been accumulated by the Nigerian government since independence. Unfortunately, the massive oil revenues have added little to the living standard of the Nigerian citizens. He asserted that 85 per cent of oil revenues earned overtime is shared among the influential political elites, who constitute only one per cent of the population, with the likelihood that 40% or more of the national wealth accumulated overtime might have been stolen by the ruling elites, technocrats and public servants. The picture of mismanagement of the nation’s oil wealth as painted above, justifies the assertion that Nigeria is experiencing economic growth, but no sustainable economic development.
While the ruling elites and their cronies were embezzling and sharing the nation’s oil wealth, the age long peace and security that the nation enjoyed started waning because of threats to national security orchestrated by militant groups with conflicting socioeconomic and political agenda. The militant groups whose antics and activities portend serious danger to national security in Nigeria include: Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Bakassi Boys, O’odua People’s Congress (OPC), Student Cults and Boko Haram sect (Rotimi, 2005; The Economist, 2008; Akhemonkhan et. al, 2012).
Although generally considered an attractive profession, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has experienced endemic problems with recruiting, training, incompetence, and indiscipline, and lack of expertise in specialized fields. Fraud and treachery are widespread, stimulating a low level of public confidence, failure to report crimes, and tendencies to resort to self-help. The Nigerian society is getting more and more insecure, as many people get into serious crimes every day; both citizens and leaders in power. In Nigeria today, especially since the advent of the present democratic dispensation, new forms of violent crimes have sprang up as common activities. These activities include kidnapping, pipeline vandalizations, Boko Haram bombings, rape, political violence, etc. (Ukpere, 2012). These have not only exposed the deficiencies of the Nigeria Police Force to perform its duties and basic functions, namely “prevention and detection of crimes and the apprehension of offenders” (Section 4, Police Act), but have also exposed the urgency of reforming the Nigeria Police structure. It should be noted that, without the law enforcement agencies in place, there can be no national image. National security is an effective tool for ensuring development and attractive foreign direct investment in any society. A breakdown in security, law and order in turn has a ripple effect on the growth and development and for Nigeria to emerge as a great superpower; the importance of national security cannot be overstated, which informs the conduct of this study.
1.3 Research Questions
The central questions that underpin this research are:
i. What are the implications of insecurity on Nigeria’s socio-economic development?
ii. To what extent has the Nigeria Police played its role in securing Nigeria.
iii. What are the factors militating against the proper functioning of the Nigeria Police force as an agent of national security?
iv. How can the Nigeria Police improve in its role of National security?
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The general objective of this study is to examine the influence of the Nigeria Police in promoting national development by:
i. Examining the implications of insecurity on Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
ii. Investigating the role played by the Nigeria police in ensuring security.
iii. Examining the factors militating against the proper utilization of the Nigeria Police force for state security.
iv. Examining how the Nigeria Police can improve national security.
1.5 Research Propositions
The following research hypotheses are to be tested and proven in order to realize and achieve the objectives of the study:
i. That the insecurity of the Nigerian state has implications on its socio-economic development
ii. That the Nigeria police has not played its role in ensuring security.
iii. That there are limitations that militate against the proper utilization of the Nigeria Police force as a national development tool.
iv. That the state of the Nigeria police can be improved to better national security.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The subject of study being researched is significant in advancing knowledge on the progress of the law enforcement in providing avenues for the socio-political and economic development of Nigeria, with particular reference to the Nigeria Police. The study seeks to contribute to the existing knowledge on the effect of the operations of the Nigeria Police on national development.
The significance of this study is to identify the relevance of the study to upcoming researchers, students and the society at large and how these people can benefit from the study; to understand how law enforcement agencies work effortlessly to ensure the protection of the lives of citizens and maintain peace, security and development in the Nigerian society. Finally, the study sheds more light on the factors affecting the Nigeria Police Force in the carrying out of duties, and changes that can be made to improve national security and development in Nigeria. Also, this study could serve as a basis for further study on the activities of the Nigeria Police Force.
1.7 Scope of the study
This study focuses on the period from 1999-2016.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
This study has a few limitations. The first is that it is confined to the Fourth Republic, which is the period between 1999-2016, making it impossible to study the national security in the previous republics. The fourth republic was selected for this study because it is the longest democratic experience in the country.
The study does not take into consideration other law enforcement agencies asides the Nigeria Police, this is because the Nigeria Police occupies a strategic position in the administration of justice and it is the closest law enforcement agency to the grassroots. Secondary data is used in this research which does not accord it first-hand information.
Finally, the study sheds more light on the factors affecting the Nigeria Police Force in the carrying out of duties, and the internal security of Nigeria. These facts limit the scope of this research, therefore not making it an all-inclusive research on Nigeria’s national security.
1.9 Methodology of the Study
This study will rely predominantly on secondary data. Content and textual analysis will be used, extensive research based on existing materials, journals, textbooks, newspaper publications, articles, national dailies, magazines.
1.9.1 Research Design
A research design is a systematic plan to study a scientific problem. The design of a study defines the study, research question, hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, experimental design, and, if applicable, data collection methods and a statistical analysis plan. Research design is the framework that has been created to seek answers to research questions. Burns and Grove (2003:195) define a research design as “a blueprint for conducting a study with maximum control over factors that may interfere with the validity of the findings”. The research design for this study is non-experimental, qualitative, exploratory-descriptive and contextual.
1.9.2 Source of Data
The research involves the use of secondary data. Data on relevant material will be obtained from internet sources, books, journals, newspapers, essays.
1.9.3 Source of Data Collection
The research instrument implemented in this research work is the use of secondary data from books, journals, newspapers, as well as magazines. This instrument was chosen for detailed data collection of data concerning the operations of the Nigeria Police as regards the improvement of the general wellbeing of the country.
1.9.4 Source of Data Analysis
The technique for analyzing data is the thematic or textual analysis method. The method of analysis employed in the course of this study was quantitative based on each theme of the propositions. Deductions were made which led to the findings in the study.
1.10 Organization of the Study
Chapter one introduces the work. It is subdivided into segments which include the background of the study, statement of the problem, research questions, objectives of the study, research propositions, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study and the methods of research.
Chapter two consists of the literature review and the theoretical framework. Here, information is gathered from different sources majorly from already published works. The theory applied to this work of study is the structural functionalist theory.
Chapter three identifies the main work which is the case-study. It takes a look at the history of the Nigeria Police Force: the evolution and development, the functions and powers, how those roles fostered the growth and development of the nation, the objectives and the structures, the organization and also the problems facing policing as regards the shaping of foreign policy options and the protection of national security and the national development of the country.
Chapter four focuses on the presentation and analysis of research data. The research instrument employed was in-depth quantitative study which explains the role of the police in national security, the implication of security on socio-economic development and the factors that hinder the pursuit of national security and national development.
Chapter five gives a summary of the study, procures recommendations and draws conclusions on the research work. The researcher is able to cite authors and state references, in order to avoid plagiarism and give credibility where the data/information must have been retrieved.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.0 Introduction
This chapter is divided into two sections. The first section examines various literatures and articles written by scholars on the subject matter of Law Enforcement Agency, Security National Development and other issues that are important to this study. The second section deals with the theoretical framework.
2.1 Literature Review
2.1.1 The Concept of Law and Law Enforcement Agencies
Austin (1966), the English Philosopher, defines law as a rule laid down for the guidance of an intelligent being by another intelligent being with power over him. The aggregate of such rules, according to him, is what is referred to as positive law, which is distinguishable from natural law because it is political.
Salmond (1937:41) defines law as ‘the body of principles recognized and applied by the state in the administration of justice’. For him, any class of rules or principles termed law must be recognized as such.
Law differs from other games in terms of its complexity in scope compared to any other game ‘having regard to its ramification over the whole social life of the community’. It is very creative in its capacity to develop and change. It could be referred to as that unique element of coercion permanently at its disposal (Lloyd, 1976: 288). Denham (1983:1) took the legal realism approach in which he saw law as consisting of ‘minimum standards of conduct which all members of society are expected to follow’. According to him, law is a legal rule which must influence different aspects of life; the law is the body of individual values that bind society together. He says that:
The law is not a static, rigid structure. The legal system is full of contrasting colours. From time to time, the law must embrace freshly defined values and codes of behaviour. Nonetheless the law may move slowly: change, whether societal or legal, is not necessarily rapid.
Ehindero (2006) asserts that law enforcement agencies are agencies set up by law to maintain internal security of the state. Law enforcement agencies could also refer to the national police force such as the Serious Organized Crime Agency and an international organization such as Europol or Interpol on national and regional basis respectively. These are agencies whose mission is to provide a law enforcement function and also agencies that have a law enforcement department or component within a larger agency.
2.1.1.2 Types of Law Enforcement Agencies
There are various agencies in Nigeria which are put in place to ensure the safety of citizens at all times. These agencies can be classified into two which are the Law enforcement agencies and the Intelligence agencies.
i. Law enforcement Agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for instance, NAFDAC, Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Nigerian Custom Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Traffic Maintenance like LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
ii. Intelligence Agencies such as the State Security Service (SSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
2.1.2 Law and the Nigeria Police
The Nigeria Police cannot be ignored in all aspects of law and order. The Policeman occupies a strategic position in the administration of justice. According to Korn and McCorkle (1959), as the policeman discharges his responsibility for crime control, he is the overt symbol of the law. He makes decisions that determine whether or not the machinery of the justice system works, because he holds the key to igniting the criminal justice system. He starts it by arrest, thereby, determining the criminals to be punished.
Korn and McCorkle observed that:
...usually the first on the scene (of crime) after an offence has been committed; they are the first to be called, the first to investigate, and they usually have the first official contact with both of the victim and the offender. Their interpretations, their biases and omissions are critical to all subsequent phases of their administration of justice...
This statement explains the role of the police towards crime control in the society. The police is responsible to ensure that the rate of crime in the society, is drastically reduced by exposing offenders of the law.
The key function of the police is policing which entails securing compliance with existing laws and conformity with principles of social order (Alemika and Chukwuma, 2003). Policing has always been indispensable in all societies for the preservation of order, safety and social relations. The police are agents of the state established for the maintenance of order and the enforcement of law. According to Amadi (2004), policing in Nigeria, like what is available in other countries of the world, is a strenuous and dangerous task.
The Nigeria Police performs the role of protecting and safeguarding the security of life and properties within the internal territorial boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is to ensure peace and stability in the society, and of course, for efficient policing (Jike, 2003). In essence, Nigeria Police are mandated to perform a range of tasks: prevention and detection of crime; preservation of law and order; protection of life and property; due enforcement of laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and military duties (Section 4, Police Act).
2.1.3 Security
Security like any other terminology does not have a generalized definition. However, from the conventional usage of the word, security refers to safety or freedom from danger; and protection from external attack or infiltration. However, security involves but does not just mean defense (Nwolise, 2006). It is because, ‘security’, for long has been tied to the apron strings of the military that scholars like Barry Buzan regard the concept as underdeveloped, and needing to be rehabilitated, insisting that the world ‘security’, “has never been in proper working order” (Buzan, 1983).
Buzan (1991), elsewhere laments the on the fact that the military factor has dominated the concept of security, while (Garnet, 1972) affirms that security is a very unclear concept. Garuba emphasizes that the cold war era gave the highest currency to the conventional security doctrine to the effect that security:
...rests on the assumption that only a (strong) military system can effectively deter force (attacks) and threats of forces... The cold war elevated security and its dependence on arms to the level of another ideology, indeed a religion. (Garuba, 1997).
The contemporary thinking about security is all-encompassing. As suitably captured by Ogunbanwo (1997) writing on the developing world:
Security is more than military security or security from external attacks. For many of the four billion inhabitants in the developing countries, security is regarded as the basic level of the struggle for survival. Therefore, in order to provide an integrated African security assessment, the non-military dimensions of security should be added. Henceforth, African security as concept should be applied in its broadest sense to include economic security, social security, environmental security, food security, the equality of life security and technological security.
In agreement with the contemporary school of thought, (MCNamara, 1983) has long cautioned that:
Any society that seeks to achieve adequate military security against the background of acute food shortage, population explosion, low level of production and per capita income, low technological development, inadequate and efficient public utilities, and chronic problem of unemployment, has a false sense of security.
The United Nations Development Programme (1994) posits that human security (an aspect of national security) refers to “freedom from fear and freedom from neediness... safety from enduring threats such as hunger, disease, and repression as well as protection from sudden and harmful disruptions in the patterns of daily life, whether in homes, in jobs or in communities.”
Wehmeier and Ashby (2002), however defines security as activities that guarantee protection of a country, persons, properties of the community against future threats, danger, mishaps and all other forms of perils. Babangida (2011), views national security as the physical protection and defense of our citizens and our territorial integrity, of which it is a part, but also the promotion of the economic well-being and prosperity of Nigerians in a safe and secure environment that promotes the attainment of our national interests and those of our foreign partners.
Furthermore, Otto and Ukpere (2012, p.6767) asserts that “security means protection from hidden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life in homes, offices or communities... security must be related to the presence of peace, safety, happiness and the protection of human and physical resources or the absence of crisis, threats to human injury among others.”
2.1.4 Policing and National Security
The original meaning of the word police refers to ‘the general state of public order and public health of the city’ (Richardson, 1980: 212). It has also been defined as ‘the civil force to which is entrusted the task of maintaining public order and enforcement of law for the prevention and punishment of its breaches.’ (Alderson, 1983: 163).
The primary function of the police is policing which means securing compliance with existing laws and conformity with precepts of social order (Alemika and Chukwuma, 2003). Policing has always been necessary in all societies for the preservation of order, safety and social relations. The police are agents of the state established for the maintenance of order and the enforcement of law.
The Nigeria Police performs the role of protecting and safeguarding the security of life and properties within the internal territorial boundaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is to ensure peace and stability in the society, and of course, for efficient policing (Jike, 2003). According to Amadi (2004) policing in Nigeria, like what obtains in other countries of the world, is a strenuous and risky task.
The Nigeria Police cannot be ignored in all aspects of law and order. The Policeman occupies a strategic position in the administration of justice. According to Korn and McCorkle (1959), as the policeman discharges his responsibility for crime control, he is the overt symbol of the law. He makes decisions that determine whether or not the machinery of the justice system works, because he holds the key to igniting the criminal justice system. He starts it by arrest, thereby, determining the criminals to be punished.
Korn and McCorkle (1959) observed that:
...usually the first on the scene (of crime) after an offence has been committed; they are the first to be called, the first to investigate, and they usually have the first official contact with both of the victim and the offender. Their interpretations, their biases and omissions are critical to all subsequent phases of their administration of justice...
This statement explains the role of the police towards crime control in the society. The Police are responsible for ensuring that the rate of crime in the society, is drastically reduced by exposing offenders of the law. Nigeria police performed conventional police functions and was responsible for internal security generally, for supporting the prison, immigration and custom services; and for performing military duties within or outside Nigeria as directed.
The concept of policing is related to that of social control and is subject to the same variations in usage and interpretations. Indeed a recent dictionary definition identifies policing as “the function of maintaining social control in society (Wilson, 1993).
The term “security” explains a state of being protected from danger or anxiety. For a country, security signifies conditions of peace, stability, order and progress. National security has been interpreted in different ways, each of which emphasized vital underlying standards. Brennan (1961) asserts that national security is the protection of national survival, while Ray (1987), opines that national security is to be understood in terms of the desire and capacity for self-defense. National security focuses on the amassment of military equipment, personnel and expenditure. The definition of National security has evolved over time. It was been extended to include international economics, long term goals of national development and reconciliation. They are very important for the security of any nation (Ochoche, 1998). With this approach, Asad (2007) explains “that national security cannot be narrowed down exclusively to a military term. Socio-economic and cultural aspects, problems of development and transformation, and national integration should be considered relevant in deliberation”. The basic notion of national security emphasizes the overall security of a nation and nation state in the context of the protection or safety of country secrets and its citizens (Fagbohun: 1990). National security is more than territorial defence and should focus on the “Physical, social and psychological equality of life of a society and its members both in the domestic setting and within the large regional and global system” (Al-Marshat, 1985).
According to Tadjbakhsh (2008) National security covers critical dimensions, viz: Economic security, Food security, Health security, Environmental security, Personal security, Community security, Political security.
The socio-political and economic landscape in Nigeria has been blighted by the endemic twin evil of crime and violence. The abysmal failure of successive administrations in Nigeria to address challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequitable distribution of wealth among ethnic nationalities, ultimately resulted to anger, agitation and violent crimes against the Nigerian state by some individuals and groups. Such crimes include militancy, kidnapping, bombing, armed robbery, destruction of government properties, among others (Albinus 2012).
National security is the necessity to keep up the survival of the state using financial, tact, control projection and political power. The idea grew for the most part in the United States of America after World War II. At first concentrating on military might, it now envelops an expansive scope of features, all of which encroach on the non-military or financial security of the country and the qualities upheld by the national society. In like manner, to have national security, a country needs to have financial security, vitality security, natural security, and so on. Security dangers include not just conventional foes, such as other countries but also nonstate actors, for example, vicious non-state actors, narcotic cartels, multinational enterprises and NGO's; a few authorities incorporate natural disasters and occasions bringing about extreme natural harm in this category.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 1994) human security may be defined to include such chronic threats as hunger disease and repression. Security means protection from hidden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life in homes, offices or communities. Security may also be defined as the state of being or making safe secure from danger, etc.
2.1.5 National Development
Development is the primary goal of every well-meaning government and it is essentially dependent on the level of economic activities in a country; the level of economic activities is in turn enhanced by peaceful coexistence by people. It is people who interact to carry out economic activities through their businesses. Businesses are the vehicle for economic activities that would lead to national economic development. It therefore follows that businesses play a great role in the process of development and such role can be hampered in the absence of adequate security as we now find in Nigeria. Development is the process of raising peoples’ standard of living from undesirable state to desirable state through application of relevant growth processes in generating favourable condition for the purpose of increasing peoples’ self-esteem and freedom to lead quality life, and to overcome certain developmental barriers in order to transcend into comfortable and desirable existence (Olutayo and Omobowale, 2002, Obono, 2010; Alliyu, 2013).
Amucheazi (1980) is of the opinion that “development is realistically seen as a multidimensional process involving the totality of man in his political, economic, psychological and social realties among others”. Development is a holistic phenomenon not a concept to be summarized in application or classified and approached as a uni-dimensional process. Essentially it should be man-oriented and not institutional-oriented. Development, more importantly must be conceived in the context of a particular social system. In other words, it is wrong to consider development in terms of system or system suited for a different cultural background. Ake (1972) was even more radical in his declarations. He argued that:
We ought to reject the concept of development. Instead of development we could think in terms of liberation. If we think in terms of liberation we can accept that we are not all that we ought to be without necessarily feeling inferior to someone else... or committing ourselves blindly to the path that someone else has taken.
Meanwhile, Ogai (2003) sees national development as a gradual manifestation of positive changes in the economic, industrial, political, social, cultural and administrative life of a country. He also went further to say that in viewing the progress of a country, the term national development is more comprehensive than economic growth. It involves high quality and large quantity of productive resources as well as efficiency in using them. According to Mathew (1989), Global development now suggests the need for another analogous broadening definition of national security to include resources, environmental and demographic issues.
The term national development is used to refer to a state of maturity which characterizes a nation-state. This maturity results from the interplay of modern political, economic and social forces and processes which transform diverse people, shaping a common geographical area, from acceptance and allegiance to and participation in a transitional policy to the acceptance and creations of and participation in a modern nation-state. The latter is characterized by governmental machinery capable of commanding loyalty, keeping order, eliciting legitimacy, fostering integration, permitting mass participation; and satisfying popular wants and expectations. It also has a skilled citizenry which exercises its capacity to create a highly industrial society and manipulates its environment to obtain a high quality of life for the generality of the population (Mac King: 1988:5). Insecurity has been identified as one of the obstacles to sustainable development (Call, 2000, Ujah and Eboh, 2006, Igbuzor, 2011).
The aims of development are to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all and sundry and to maximize simultaneously national goals, organizational goals and individual goals that can persist over generations. As noted by Akpobibibo (2003) the principle behind development is to make life meaningful to all. Therefore, security is crucial for development. In the absence of security, economic growth and development cannot be sustained as it destroys economic, human and social capital. Under conditions of peace and security, people and government can direct their efforts and resources towards improving human life.
Security and development are also related in the sense that being a public good, the imperative to maintain security competes with other public goods such as education, health and infrastructure for public funds.
Expenditures on security are therefore an essential component of the development process. For instance, the use of resources to strengthen a country’s security system could have been useful in other relevant areas. Insecurity therefore, becomes a drain on local and national resources at the expense of development and peoples’ wellbeing thereby, having adverse consequences on economic growth and development (Nwagboso, 2012, Call, 2000)
2.2 Theoretical Framework
The theory to be used for this research work is the Structural Functionalist Theory.
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