NIGERIAN POLICE’S AGGRESSIVE TENDENCIES IN EASTERN NIGERIA (BIAFRA): ROLES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING, EMPATHY, AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (“BLACK LIVES MATTER†CAMPAIGN IMPLICATIONS)

Abstract

The study examined Nigerian Police’s aggressive tendencies in Biafra (EasternNigeria). The objectives were to investigate whether psychological well-being, empathy, andemotional intelligence can reduce Police’s aggressive tendencies. Cluster and incidental sampled230 Nigerian Police personnel participated. Valid/reliable aggression, psychological well-being,empathy, and emotional intelligence scales measured variables. Cross-sectional factorial designand multivariate regression were adopted. Findings were: Nigerian Police personnel possess veryhigh aggressive tendency. Psychological well-being, empathy, and emotional intelligence ofNigerian Police personnel are very low, significantly leading to personnel’s high aggressivetendencies. Police personnel who are high in psychological well-being, empathy, and emotionalintelligence will be low on aggressive tendencies. High level of psychological well-beingsignificantly correlates with high empathy and emotional intelligence. Recommendations: Policepersonnel training, selection and development must strictly inculcate behavioural qualities ofpsychological well-being, empathy and emotional intelligence to reduce Police aggressivetendencies, implicated in the “Black Lives Matter†global campaign.