The allegations of marginalization and the clamor for confederation constitute the inevitable harvest of the Constitution fashioned by the military

IN the last ten editions, I have presented the historical origin of the Police both in Nigeria, England and USA; the salient provisions of the law as applicable to the police especially on its functions and duties; the myriad of problems confronting the organization culminating in the present strength of the Nigeria Police. This week, I shall try and proffer solutions as I see them taking cognizance of the totality of the surrounding circumstances.

What we call police stations, offices and barracks in Nigeria is nothing short of a complete failure on the planners and executors of some our policies

The sad aspect of it all is that our policemen work under a very dangerous, un-conducive and thoroughly hostile environment as opposed to their foreign counterparts who have everything modern at their disposal and under a beautiful, encouraging atmosphere within which they operate – and with fantastic salary to show for it!

“Our men and women in police uniform are rather more brilliant, tougher, rugged and endowed with enormous wherewithal to withstand pressure and serious deprivations than their counterparts in other countries!”

In examining the duties of the  police within the context of Nigerian law vis-à-vis what obtains in other climes across the globe, regard must be had to the aims and objectives of the founding fathers of modern police.

The President may give to the Inspector General such directions with respect to the maintaining and securing of public safety and public order as he may consider necessary and the Inspector General shall comply with those directions or cause them to b e complied to

Owing to the growth in population, the parish constable and the watch systems failed completely. The aftermath of this development was that conditions generally became intolerable leading to the formation of a new police.

Cases of willful disobedience of the orders of the Oba let alone stapling, beating or manhandling of the Akoda were very rare if not totally unheard of. It was indeed a taboo as such willful intransigence would be tantamount to slapping the Oba himself

A person unlawfully arrested or detained is entitled by the constitution to compensation and public apology from the appropriate authority. However, objectionable events do happen at police stations

The first encounter of a lawful citizen with the police often begins when he stops his car at the flashing torchlight that suddenly leaps into his path on a dark and lonely road. Inevitable questions follow as to his identity, his destination and “what he is carrying

National security requires that ethnic and tribal sentiments be put aside in pursuit of a common goal; the prevention of total breakdown of law and order. If left to fester, violence does not discriminate between tribes or ethnicities, innocent or guilty, old or young

To prevent the unsavoury effects of the constant late passage of the Budget, Nigeria may borrow a leaf from other countries who have evolved efficient ways of passing their budgets

LAST week I began an examination of the reasons for the drop in the standard for admission into Nigerian Universities with a focus on the role played by the Joint Admissions Regulation Board and how overtime, Universities began to notice a general deficiency in candidates admitted through the examinations conducted by the body. As I will later discuss, several factors, some of which were directly traceable to JAMB itself, were responsible for this development. However it cannot be denied that certain other factors also contributed to the decline in the quality of students admitted into the Universities.

It cannot be denied that the poor quality of candidates gaining admission into Universities also plays a very significant role as it has brought about a general lowering of standards with regards to admissions.