The People vs. The Police: How Long Until Real Change?
This opinion piece was written by Victor Chegbe to commemorate the anniversary of the #EndSARS protest.
Another day, another story of police harassment. Another day, another story of extortion. Every other day, it feels like we’re hearing about the same old problems with the Nigerian police. But when is change actually going to happen?
The Nigerian Police Force was set up by colonial masters to keep control over newly acquired territories and prevent Nigerians from fighting back against oppression. Now, even though colonial times are over, many still feel that the police are more about protecting the powerful than serving the people.
A lot of Nigerians believe the police are more of a threat than a help. During the #EndSARS protests in 2020, youth took to the streets to demand the disbandment of the infamous SARS unit. But it wasn’t just SARS that needed a makeover; the whole policing system needed to be reformed so that the police can do their jobs with respect for human rights. Sadly, what began as a peaceful protest turned tragic, leading to a massacre that the government still refuses to acknowledge.
Talk about police reform isn’t new in Nigeria—it pops up in almost every administration. After 64 years of independence, it’s disappointing that we still don’t have a police force that’s accountable and focused on protecting citizens. Instead, efforts to create a better police system often lead to more problems.
Over the years, plenty of committees have been formed to address these issues, but their reports often end up collecting dust. The Lagos State panel after the #ENDSARS protests called for big changes to fix the gap between the police and the people, but not much has shifted since then.
We’re stuck with a police force that feels stuck in the past—one that serves the elite while ignoring the struggles of everyday Nigerians. Just look at the protests against bad governance in August 2024, which led to over a thousand arrests and the deaths of more than 20 protesters.
Some people suggest ideas like state or community policing, but we need something more. To start with, the police should be able to operate independently of political influence, with leadership not just being another presidential appointment. If we can pull this off, we might be start to see real change in how police officers do their jobs—less violence and more respect for the people they’re supposed to protect.
We can decide to reform and transform this institution into one that respects the fundamental human rights of her citizens, a police force that prioritizes the welfare of it’s personnel or we continue with the current arrangement that seeks to benefit the elites and only the elites at the expense of Nigeria.
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