Community Policing in Nigeria

The sporadic rise in Nigeria’s security challenges have triggered a debate around effective securitisation in the country and what needs to be done. One of the approaches currently reiterated as a panacea to the situation by some policymakers and stakeholders in the country is Community policing. Community policing is believed to enhance trust between the public and the police thereby leading to intelligence provision, a core for policing and security provision. It is based on this trust that both parties can collaborate on maintaining a peaceful and secure society. According to the United Nations (UN) on community-oriented policing, it is an approach that not only strengthens the bond between the police and the community but also enhances the public confidence and community cooperation. In addition to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the police and other law enforcement agencies.

In Nigeria, the issue of community policing has gone beyond debate. Recently, the Ebonyi state government has embarked on massive recruitment of personnel for community policing in the state. This is in line with the agreement Southeast governors’ forum reached with the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, late in May 2020. The community policing initiative is a regional response of Southeast governors to the rising insecurity in the region and like in other parts of the country. Although there have been intense arguments for the establishment of state police in Nigeria, it appears community policing is a favourable compromise between the Federal government and state governments, who are demanding for a change in the policing arrangement. Recently, the Borno state government also inaugurated a community policing advisory committee to promote harmony between the police and communities in the state. In the Northwest and parts of the Northcentral regions, there have been calls for a regional policing strategy as a response to the menacing activities of bandits in the areas.

Then, the major question is, how will community policing work in Nigeria? In Nigeria, community policing approach is mainly the establishment of a local tier security organisation that will complement the efforts of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and other law enforcement units with local intelligence and not a tactical approach towards policing. Going by the current context in which it is being applied in Nigeria, it is important to tactfully conceptualise the mode of operation of its personnel. For instance, the Ebonyi state government has dissolved its vigilante units and other quasi-security organisations in the state to pave way for a proper, constitutionally-backed community policing structure. 

Beyond this, state governments aiming to establish community policing structures should collaborate with security institutions in Nigeria to provide professional training for potential recruits. Without adequate training for the personnel, the establishment of effective control and proper organisation of the policing structures, the anomalies associated with vigilantism and quasi-security units in the country will be transferred to the new community policing outfits. 

In order not to arm people who will end up terrorising those they should be protecting, states should establish a community of security experts. These experts will create a clear cut mode of operation, areas of jurisdiction and specific responsibilities for community policing personnel. This is in addition to the organisational-type chain of command and regulations to ensure accountability and adherence to stipulated protocols.