Nigerian Police : Militating factors and the demand for standard from operatives

From Francis Nansak

Against a common adage which says” To whom that much is given more is expected” Nasarawa state police command has suffered lack of such giving ,in the sense that apart from the command headquarters which is housed in a befitting structure,an upstairs,that was donated by the then administration of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura,when he was Governor of Nasarawa state,divisional headquarters across the 13 local government areas lack standard infrastructure.

Nasarawa state police command has 30 Divisions in the 6 area commands, New Karu, Keffi,Akwanga, Nasarawa, Lafia and Awe would have been enough for sufficiently tackle whatever security unrest.

However,the divisional headquarters apart from insufficient man power ,the infrastructure are not up to standard .

Findings across some of the Divisions like Panda,Mararaba,Gitata,Keffi and in Lafia,most police officers operating in the divisions are lacking office accommodation, Patrol vehicles, good furniture and to an extent operational tools as communication gadgets.

In some of the Divisions as Uke and Karshi which are said to be built through community efforts have become too small for smooth operation of the officers,who may have to go back to near by houses or the bush to urinate.

The expected standard from the Nigerian police and crime fighting have through the inadequate man power and logistics as communication gadgets,vehicles and other crime fighting instructions stampeded the show of gallantry and the will power to uplifting the standard of a result oriented police force.

While investment in this direction is capital intensive,at this material time and that the present Inspector General of Police IGP is from Nasarawa state,calls for a delibrate transformation of the police force in the state to match the expected standard.

In the early 70s which is to the best of my knowledge,police divisions are established along with the provisions of a conducive accommodation,that is fitted with electricity supply and portable drinking water.

However,today and with the rising crime rates in Nasarawa state and in Nigeria the police are ill funded and shattered to the point that some Divisional officers stake their necks just to ensure that the expected service for the police is seen as achievable.

In comparison ,most divisions in Nasarawa state are what in Enugu state is called a police station not “A Division”.

A public analyst said in Nasarawa state,there is hardly a police division going by standard,instead” we have a range of police stations,which are still in need of good communication systems,a computer or computers,locking rooms,offices ,cell rooms ,mobility and a special armoury,as well as a spacious well landscaped compound.

The analyst further said that creating of police outposts remains key in policing Nasarawa state ,but that it amounts to nothing if creating the post lacks the basic tools that police need to tackle common criminals.

Inspite of the deployment of strategies and officers , especially with the launch and re-launch of Operation Puff Ader I and II, the Inspector General of police , Abubakar Adamu Mohammed and the Nasarawa state Governor Engineer Abdullahi Sule needs to take measures beyond what it is now that can further advance and encourage the working conditions of the operatives of the Nigerian police force in Nasarawa state.