INCESSANT SECURITY THREAT IN NIGERIA AND THE RATIONALE FOR A CONTINUED SINGLE POLICE FORCE IN THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The security of life and property has remained pivotal to human existence, development and the major essence of governance. Commonsensically, no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of lawlessness and insecurity as Nigeria is currently facing. In a democratic society, internal security is mainly achieved through good governance, the team of police force often diversified especially in a heterogeneous society, whereas the army takes care of the external security. The object of this work was to examine the rationale for a continued retention of a single police force in Nigeria in the face of the incessant security threats in the democratic governance of Nigeria. To examine the fact in issue, the work adopted a doctrinal methodology supported with primary and secondary sources of information to drive the points. Comparative notes were also drawn from the United States of America and the United Kingdom to buttress the fact. It was discovered that bad governance, corruption and the protagonist inhibition to the decentralization of the police force among other factors prevented the decentralization of the police force in the democratic governance of Nigeria. Thus, the work recommended that installation of good governance through credible election, severe sanctions against corruption and over hauling and reorientation of the Nigeria police force to avert the fears of the protagonists from the past experience against the decentralization of state police were of essence.