“Police is your friend”, so goes the saying. However, many Nigerians do not believe in that anymore, considering their uncomfortable experience with the men of Nigerian police. Ask any Nigerian today and he will have one uncomfortable story or the other to tell about the Nigeria police.
No matter how bad things have become, that does not change the fact that the Nigeria Police Force was set up for a particular purpose. They were created to “serve and protect with integrity”. In this write-up, you will be further enlightened about the content of the duties of the Nigeria Police Force.
Power to arrest offenders
The police have power to arrest any offender. However, such an arrest must be made in line with the Nigerian constitution. There are laid down rules in Nigeria about what an offence is and what is not an offence. We should also keep in mind that there are certain offences that do not concern the Nigerian police. Good examples of such offences are those related to traffic offence. There are other arms of security personals appointed to handle such, some of which are the Vehicle Inspection officers, the Traffic wardens and the Road Safety Officials.
We should also keep in mind that there are certain offences that do not concern the Nigerian police. Good examples of such offences are those related to traffic offence. There are other arms of security personals appointed to handle such, some of which are the Vehicle Inspection officers, the Traffic wardens and the Road Safety Officials.
Good examples of such offences are those related to traffic offence. There are other arms of security personals appointed to handle such, some of which are the Vehicle Inspection officers, the Traffic wardens and the Road Safety Officials.
Power to prevent crime occurrence
The Nigeria Police Force also has the power to prevent offence from being committed if there are rumors or threats about a crime or security issues. The police authority will draft some of its men to the area to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.
There are times anyway when the military also take part in such activity. Most times when curfews are declared, a combined team of police and military men are involved in patrolling the area and preventing breakdown of law and order.
Protection of lives and property
One of the duties of the police is to protect the lives and properties of the citizenry. This is why they were given their trainings in the first instance and this is why they are being given guns and ammunition. They can be seen patrolling the area during the day and during the night, principal purpose of which should be to protect the citizenry.
Power for crime detection
One of the duties of the police also involved crime detection. This is why they have the Criminal Investigation Department, which is a department set up to detect and investigate criminal activities. Purpose of such is to identify those behind the particular crime and to bring them to book. They have been given special training to enable them carryout this duty successfully.
Power to maintain law and order
The Nigerian police is principally responsible for maintain law and order. Virtually all the other duties mentioned above is centered on this particular duty of the Nigerian police, which involve maintaining law and order. This duty demands that the police compel the citizens to obey laid down laws as outlined in the Nigerian constitution.
Power to investigate matters
Furthermore, the Nigerian police is given the power to investigate any matter. After such investigation, they are supposed to sue anybody found wanting to court. The Nigeria Police Force has no right to prosecute any case.