THE BRUTALITY OF THE NIGERIAN POLICE: POINT OF ENTRY ASSESSMENT
Introduction The Nigeria Police Force has been a recurring subject of national debate not for crime-fighting excellence, but for allegations of brutality, extortion, and human rights abuse. From the #EndSARS protests of 2020 to daily reports of harassment at checkpoints, one question persists: Why does the culture of brutality endure? While many focus on post-recruitment conduct, the real diagnosis must begin at the point of entry. Recruitment is the foundation. If the foundation is skewed, everything built on it will tilt. 1. The Recruitment Paradox: From Apathy to Avalanche Recently, the Police Service Commission announced a recruitment drive for 50,000 constables to boost manpower. Initial reports alleged low turnout. Yet within weeks, over 150,000 applications flooded the portal. This swing reveals two things: Instance 1: In 2022, the NPF opened recruitment for 10,000 constables and received 338,227 applications over 30 applicants per ...