THE ROLE OF NIGERIA POLICE IN UPHOLDING HUMAN RIGHTS: AN ANALYSIS OF INSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES AND POLICY EFFECTIVENESS

Abstract

This work examines the institutional practices, policies, and historical context shaping the Nigeria Police Force’s role in upholding human rights amidst pervasive challenges. Despite recent legislative reforms, including the Police Act 2020 and the Anti-Torture Act 2019, systemic issues such as corruption, impunity, resource constraints, societal norms, and political interference continue to undermine efforts at accountability, transparency, and human rights compliance. The analysis highlights persistent abuses, including extrajudicial killings, illegal detention, and excessive use of force, which are reinforced by entrenched institutional cultures and weak oversight mechanisms. While reforms have introduced new oversight bodies and community policing strategies aimed at fostering trust and accountability, their effective implementation remains hindered by deep-rooted structural and cultural barriers. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that strengthens institutional independence, enhances police training, allocates adequate resources, promotes cultural change, and ensures strict enforcement of existing laws. Only through sustained systemic reforms and political will can Nigeria realize a police force that genuinely respects and protects citizens’ human rights and dignity.