THE LEADERSHIP QUESTION IN THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE

Appointment of persons to leadership position in the Nigeria Police Force has become a topic of debate because since the inauguration of elected civilian government in 1999, six (6) IGPs have been appointed, indicating a high turnover of leadership in the Force.
There is a lack of clear cut, transparent criteria for consideration by the President in the appointment process this has sometimes led to the appointment of square pegs in round holes.The increase in the state of insecurity in the country usually necessitates the clamour for the removal of the IGP by the public. Before an appointment is made for the positon of the Inspector General of Police there is a need to consider certain issues such as...Read more.

THE CHALLENGES OF YOUTH RESTIVENESS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Youth restiveness and violence has become a recurring decimal in northern Nigeria particularly in Jos Plateau, Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe, Kano and Kaduna states. In some instances, it has taken the form of terrorist attacks and has become one of the critical problems the nation is facing at the moment. Several attacks have been carried out and serious damages recorded in this regards, leading to several deaths and loss of properties.The most recent attacks include the robbery at a bank in Bauchi state that resulted in several loss of life, the attack in Damaturu, Yobe state capital that claimed several lives, the attack on a police station in the outskirt of Gombe state where four person were killed....Read more.

RESPONDING TO THE EMERGING TRENDS OF TERRORISM IN NIGERIA

The growing conflict between the Nigeria state and various ethnic or religious groups such as the Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnah Lidda’awati wal- Jihad (People Committed to the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad) popularly referred to as Boko Haram, has exacted a devastating effect on the safety and security of Nigerians. Since January 2009, there have been various attacks by these groups which has led to the deaths of dozens of people and large scale destruction of property.Examples of some of the attacks are the 1st of October 2010 bomb blast at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the 31st of December 2010
bombing of the Mammy market of the Mogadishu Barracks in Abuja..... Read more.

SECURING ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

Security is a significant part of an election management process. This is especially true in emerging, nascent and budding democracies like Nigeria where the electoral systems are still largely evolving. Voters’ participation, the credibility of electoral results and ultimately the legitimacy conferred on the emergent government, revolves somewhat on how well the security of the elections is managed. Underscoring the significance of elections security, Sean Dunne wrote that “the assurance of equitable security during an electoral process is essential to retaining the participants’ confidence and commitment to an election. Consequently, security is both integral to the goal of an election and an inseparable part of the electoral process.”1 The history of elections.... Read more.

REVIEW OF ELECTIONS SECURITY DURING THE 2011 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

Nigerians went into the 2011 general elections with both high expectations and huge concerns. They were tired of elections that were marred with fraud, massive rigging, violence and insecurity. They expected an even playing ground for all political aspirants and banked on the credibility of the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver free and fair elections in which the voice of the people would be heard through their votes. They wanted to vote, for their votes to be counted and for those votes to count. On the other hand, the various political tensions that were mounting in the country as parties struggled within and among themselve.... Read more

GOOD PRACTICES ON GENDER AMONG WEST AFRICAN SECURITY AGENCIES

The poor representation and status of women in policing all over the world have become a reference point in any discourse on police transformation. In Nigeria, the status of women in Nigeria Police Force has been characterised by poor representation, male chauvinism, discriminatory rules and practices against women which have continuously hampered women’s participation in policing. Police organizations all over the world including the Nigeria Police Force are undergoing reforms aimed at meeting the needs of the communities they serve. Gender mainstreaming in the Nigeria Police Force is thus imperative in ensuring an absolute police reform where the needs of diverse groups of people including women are met..... Read more.