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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol.7, No.8
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
DOI:10.14738/assrj.77.8699.
Okwuwa, C. O., Ololo, K. O., Ownnibi, E. O., Emmanuel, E. I., & Dauda, H. J. (2020). A Question Of Addressing The Real Issues Of The
Nigerian Police Operatives’ Ineffectiveness For Improved Petormance. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(8) 68-84.
A Question Of Addressing The Real Issues Of The Nigerian Police
Operatives’ Ineffectiveness For Improved Petormance
Charles O. Okwuwa
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
Kennedy O. Ololo
Alex Ekwueme Federal University,
Ndufo Alike, Ebonyi State.
Owonibi, Elizabeth, O.
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
Emelda I. Emmanuel
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
Dauda, H. Juliana
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.
ABSTRACT
The Nigerian Police ineffectiveness in internal security services is a
national challenge. The police have been labelled unfriendly and
discredited by many due to their personal experiences and media
reports. Research findings indicate that with the police, Nigerians are
among the worst Police victims of human rights violations in Africa, due
to corruption, unlawful and prolonged detention without trials and
various unprofessional conduct. This investigation explores the issues
of the Nigerian Police road traffic operatives along a heavy traffic
highway in North Central Nigeria that qualify their unprofessional
attitudes and behaviors, with possible insights to advance knowledge
for policies towards improving service delivery. We collected data from
police officers of two police formations in the research area, by
quantitative survey. Also from the same two locations and another
location, we collected qualitative data by applying in-depth analyses of
opinion leaders. We applied Herzberg’s two factor theory and observed
that lack of both motivators and hygiene factors seem to be impacting
the operatives negatively hence they are not motivated to operate
effectively. Data suggest that the Police immediate constraints are
mainly hygiene factors (monetary rewards, welfare, tools, among
others) which build up frustration and predispose them to oppression
and extortion of road users, reflecting the overarching corrupt
environment. The results support some earlier findings that both
motivators and hygiene factors, not mainly motivators, drive employee
motivation and performance. Policy implications include enhanced
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URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.78.8699 69
Okwuwa, C. O., Ololo, K. O., Ownnibi, E. O., Emmanuel, E. I., & Dauda, H. J. (2020). A Question Of Addressing The Real Issues Of The Nigerian Police
Operatives’ Ineffectiveness For Improved Petormance. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(8) 68-84.
statutory spending and overhaul of the agency structure for improved
employee performance.
Keywords: Work environment, work tools, performance, funding, monetary
rewards, corruption.
INTRODUCTION
The historical role of the police in societies is fundamental, since the police, as a body of officers,
represent the civil authority of government. The police are typically responsible for maintaining
public order and safety, enforcing the law and preventing, detecting and investigating criminal
activities (Banton, Walsh and Brodeur (2019). Additionally, these functions are known as policing.
Within this context, police are entrusted with effective vehicle license and traffic regulatory
activities. Thus among others, these ideals are public expectations and the quality of performance
of these functions determines peoples’ perceptions of the police. Road transport regulation
challenges posed by the police constitute an area that has attracted much discussion and
condemnation which is the trajectory of this research.
This study attempts to identify and evaluate some of the problems of the police in carrying out their
functions. Bearing in mind the social complexities of societies, communities, groups and individuals
and their respective interests, and hence attitudes and behaviors, police functions can hardly be
evaluated the same as been effective or ineffective. Research have variously implicated the Nigerian
Police for unprofessional conducts in their functions. Okeshola ( 2013) notes that with the police,
Nigeria is one of the worst victims of human rights violation in Africa, human rights breaches,
corruption, unlawful and prolonged detention without trials, among others. Igbo (2015) observes
that the Nigerian police have been ineffective and unaccountable and hence, unsuccessful in its
functions. An investigation into the recent reported case of ‘bail for sale’ and other atrocities in
Shomolu Police Station has begun and those involved must be prosecuted (Police Force
Headquarters, 2019). Public representations of the police in Nigeria, as captured in surveys and in
popular culture, are strongly negative (Owen, 2014).
Increasing urbanization and issues of urban life, abuse of power by some elements in authority,
corruption, insecurity posed by unemployment, kidnapping, Boko Haram insurgency, trafficking on
persons, mass migration and refugee problems, ritual killings, herders and farmers conflicts, and
other social problems, directly and indirectly, challenge the Nigerian police. In effect, Nigeria is
presently operating in a conflict situation. The Nigerian police operates under the executive,
practically, ‘government in power’. As literature suggest, it does not follow the law always, hence
some observers view their practices generally as regime protection. Police arrest and detention, and
use of discretionary powers invariably generate public condemnation. With intimate affiliation with
the executive, and by enforcing orders, bearing arms with powers to maintain law and order with
possible arrest and detention of suspects, the police force, as a core component of the internal
security and justice system, is then predisposed to negative public perceptions, particularly by the
socially excluded and opposing parties.
Our research interest is specifically on the scarcely researched area, the problematic engagements
between commuters, often the local and poor road users, and the predominantly low ranked police
traffic control operatives who mount road blocks on the highways for vehicle inspection and