Policing is defined as supervising or enforcing rules.

When a security guard is assigned to patrol an area and make sure everyone follows the rules, this is an
example of when he is policing the area.

Objectives and importance of Police

The primary functions of the police are detection and prevention

of crime as well as preservation of law and order. The police has

constitutional powers of ensuring the prevalence of law and order and

the preservation of public peace.

The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria confer

on the police force powers and duties for effective oversight and

accountability1

Similarly, the Police Act charge the force with the general duties

of:

i. The protection of life and property

ii. Detection and prevention of crime;

iii. Apprehension of offenders;

Iv. Preservation of law and order

v. The due enforcement of law regulations with which they are

directly charged.

vi. Performance of such other military duties within and without

Nigeria as may be required of them by or under the authority of

any other Act

Hierarchical, Command and field operation structure

Command of the Nigeria Police Force

Section 215 of the 1999 Constitution provided that:

(1) There shall be–

(a) an Inspector-General of Police who, subject to section 216(2) of this Constitution shall be appointed
by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving members of the Nigeria
Police Force;

(b) a Commissioner of Police for each State of the Federation who shall be appointed by the Police
Service Council.
(2) The Nigeria Police Force shall be under the command of the Inspector-General of the Police, and any
contingents of the Nigeria Police Force stationed in a State shall, subject to the authority of the
Inspector-General of the Police, be under the command of the Commissioner of Police;

(3) The President or such other Minister of the Government of the Federation as he may be authorized
in that behalf may give to the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police such lawful directions with respect
to the maintaining and securing of public safety and public order as he may consider necessary, and the
Inspector-General shall comply with those directions or cause them to be complied with.

Organisation of the Nigeria Police Force

Administration

The Nigeria Police Force has staff deployment across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT). The command and control of the Nigeria Police Force is under the Inspector General of
Police. For administrative ease, the Force is divided into seven (7) administrative departments, viz.
Finance and Administration; Operations; Logistics; Force Criminal Investigation Department; Training;
Research and Planning; and Information and Communication Technology, each headed by a Deputy
Inspector General of Police. The Force is further divided into 12 operational Zonal Commands (usually
comprising between two and four State Commands) and 37 State Commands including the FCT (usually
comprising Area Commands which further comprises Divisions). While the zone is headed by an
Assistant Inspector General of Police, the State Command is headed by a Commissioner of Police, the
Area Command by an Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Division by any officer in the
Superintendent cadre.

Early History of Policing in Nigeria

Nigeria Police Force was first established in 1820.[6][citation needed] In 1879 a 1,200-member armed
paramilitary Hausa Constabulary was formed.[7] In 1896 the Lagos Police was established. A similar
force, the Niger Coast Constabulary, was formed in Calabar in 1894 under the newly proclaimed Niger
Coast Protectorate. In the north, the Royal Niger Company set up the Royal Niger Company
Constabulary in 1888 with headquarters at Lokoja.[8]

When the protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria were proclaimed in the early 1900s, part of
the Royal Niger Company Constabulary became the Northern Nigeria Police, and part of the Niger Coast
Constabulary became the Southern Nigeria Police.[9][10] During the colonial period, most police were
associated with local governments (native authorities).[11] In the 1960s, under the First Republic, these
forces were first regionalised and then nationalised. The Nigeria Police Force performed conventional
police functions and was responsible for internal security generally; for supporting the prison,
immigration, and customs services; and for performing military duties within or outside Nigeria as
directed.[12] Plans were announced in mid-1980 to expand the force to 200,000.

By 1983, according to the federal budget, the strength of the NPF was almost 152,000, but other sources
estimated it to be between 20,000 and 80,000. Reportedly, there were more than 1,300 police stations
nationwide. Police officers were not usually armed but were issued weapons when required for specific
missions or circumstances. They were often deployed throughout the country, but in 1989, well into
Nigeria's second military dictatorship, Babangida announced that a larger number of officers would be
posted to their native areas to facilitate police- community relations..

Ranking structure of police personnel

Inspector General

Deputy Inspector-General of Police

Assistant Inspector-General of Police

Commissioner of Police

Deputy Commissioner of Police

Assistant Commissioner of Police

Chief Superintendent of Police

Superintendent of Police

Deputy Superintendent of Police

Assistant Superintendent of Police

Inspector of Police

Sergeant Major

Sergeant

Corporal

Lance

Constable

Police Service Commission and its Function

The Police Service Commission (PSC) is the civilian oversight body on the police. It is responsible for
appointment, promotion, and discipline of all police officers except the Inspector General of Police. It
shall collaborate, cooperate and work with all the stake holders, namely the police council with the
President of Nigeria as chairman, all the governors of the Federating States of Nigeria, the Minister of
Interior and the Inspector-General of Police as members to turn the police around and enable it to meet
the challenges of the 21st century.

Functions and Powers of the Commission

1. Develops And Reviews Matters Related To Human Resources Policies

The Nigerian Police Service Commission is saddling with the responsibility of developing policies that are
related to human resources in the Nigerian police force.

This happened on the recommendation of the Nigerian Inspector General. On recommendation, such
matters are developed and kept under review.

Most importantly, these matters developed and reviewed must also relate to human resources policies
of commission members.

2. Determines Appropriate Remuneration And Benefits Of Staff

Good salaries encouraged commitment on the part of the staff towards accomplishing the goals of the
Commission hence, there is salaries recommendation.

The Commission will advise on the Salaries or remuneration of the staff. It is therefore, the Commission
function to determine on better and appropriate remuneration and staff benefits.
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3. Approves Applications For Business Engagement By Police Officer

Another function of the Nigerian Police Service Commission is to make sure that, applications for
business engagement by police officer are approved.

In approving these businesses and other trades, which are to be engaged by the police officer, the
Nigerian Police Service Commission must make sure that such business and trade are in line with the
law, which relates to matters of leadership and matters of integrity under Article 80 in the Constitution.

4. Cooperates With Other Departments And Agencies On Matter It Considers Necessary

It is incumbent on the part of the Nigerian Police Service Commission to cooperate with some other
Commissions, some other agencies, some other departments, etc which it considered important and
necessary, provided they will help the Commission in achieving its mandate.

This is very important, since there is no commission or agency that has the monopoly of knowledge in
dealing with problems and challenges.

5. Provides Terms And Conditions For Service, Recruitment And Disciplinary Measures

The Nigerian Police Service Commission is also saddled with the responsibility of making provision for
terms and conditions of service and recruitment procedure, as well as disciplinary measures for every
staff member. And it is a function, which the Nigerian Police Service Commission has kept over the
years.
6. Developeds Fair And Clear Disciplinary Measures

There are procedures in developing disciplinary measures in almost all organizations, and the Nigerian
Police Service Commission is not exempted.

Therefore, one of the functions of the Nigerian Police Service Commission is about ensuring that, fair
and clear disciplinary procedures are developed, and such developed procedures are in accordance with
the Article 47, which is in line with the constitution.

7. Investigates And Summons Witnesses

One of the functions of the Nigerian Police Service Commission is to investigate into matters brought to
its table. Should there be any case that warrant or call for investigations, the Nigerian Police service
Commission will swing into action by investigating into the matter, and in most cases, will summon
witnesses for the purpose of assisting in the investigations.

8. Exercises Disciplinary Control Over Office Holders

Another function of the Nigerian Police Service Commission is in the area of exercising disciplinary
control staff. What the Commission does is to make sure that, every person holding office or acting in
any capacity in the service, is subjected to disciplinary control of the Nigerian Police Service Commission.
This, of course, is very important, since in will help enforce the values of the Commission.

9. Promotes Values And Principles Of The Nigerian Police Service Commission

This is one function of the Nigerian Police Service Commission, which is quite necessary and important.
Every organization that want to excel, and accomplish its mandate must promote such organization’s
values and principles, that is why, the Nigerian Police Service Commission has saddled with the
responsibility of promoting the values and principles which are enshrined in the Articles 10 and 232 of
the Constitution.

Departmentl Organization in Police Service

LIST OF NIGERIAN POLICE SECTIONS / DEPARTMENTS:

Nigerian Police Sections are numerous but we have covered 14 unit, Department and functions among
others include investigation and prosecution of serious and complex criminal cases within and outside
the country.

The Department has the following Sections and functions as discussed below:

1. ADMINISTRATION,

The ‘D’ Department is headed by Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG Peter Y. Gana mni.). The
Administrative Section is among other things charged with the day-to-day running of the Department.
The Section issues policy directives that guide the affairs of the Department.

2. ANTI-FRAUD SECTION

The Anti-Fraud Section is headed by a Commissioner of Police (CP Sylvester A. Umeh). The Section
investigates cases of dud cheques and fraud related offences that may be referred to the Section by the
IGP or through the DIG ‘D’.

3. LEGAL SECTION,

The Legal Section is headed by a Commissioner of Police (CP Adebayo Ajileye). The Section was set up to
perform the following functions;

Vetting and issuing of legal advice on casefiles received from various sections of the Department.

Instituting and prosecuting cases in Courts.

Diligent defense of civil suits brought against the Police.

Liaising with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Office of the State Attorneys
General as the case may be, in respect of cases that require their attention and co-operation, especially
on serious crimes and civil litigations.

Advice the Force on current legal issues, prepare contract, agreements, memoranda of understanding,
etc.

Provision of library services and other adhoc functions as directed by the IGP/DIG.
4. FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY

The Section is headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP Ovie Oyakomino). It deals with the
application of science to law. It employs highly developed technology to uncover scientific evidence
relevant to criminal investigation. It has the following functional units:

a. Crime Scene: Undertakes visit to crime scenes, photograph and make sketch of the scene, search for
exhibits, process invisible to be visible and obtain the exhibits for analysis by other units.

b. Chemistry: Undertakes physical examination and chemical analysis of materials using different
equipments and/or chemical materials including powders and liquid for their composition.

c. Biology: Undertakes visual, physical and microscopic examination of biological materials like hairs,
fibers, plants, leaves for identification purposes. d. Ballistics: Examination of firearms, empty cartridges,
shells and bullets for prohibition, state of functionality and identification or matching of shells and/or
bullets with suspects firearms.

e. Serology/DNA: Identification and typing of biological materials/stains like blood, semen for their
origin.

f. Fingerprints: Obtains biometrics and bio-data of suspects into database, conducts search of electronic
database for match of prints recovered from crime scenes for identification purpose.

g. Disputed Documents: Undertakes examination of documents using different light sources and
equipments for forgery, alteration, erasure, etc.

5. ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNIT

The Section is headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP Mary A. Egbeyemi).

The Unit works in collaboration with the UNICEF, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in
Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), International Labour Organization, United Nation Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC),

It Also works with Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity,
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), America Bar Association (ABA), Nigerian
Organization for Migration.

These joint actions were mapped out for the eradication of human trafficking.

6. FORCE CID ANNEX LAGOS:

The annex office is headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge Administration (DCP
Abdulmaliki S. Adeyemi). The function of the annex office is replicated to have all the Sections
mentioned above with the same functions to cater for the southern part of the country.

7. FORCE CID ANNEX KADUNA:

The annex office is headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge Administration (DCP Sani U.
Mohammed).

The annex office is a “train the trainer outfit” for the training and certification of experts on specialized
fields such as disputed documents, photography, finger print, etching, etc. It is a technical/specialized
aspect of the Force CID

8. SPECIAL ANTI-ROBBERY SQUAD (SARS)

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad was founded in late 1992 by former police commissioner Simeon
Danladi Midenda. The major reason SARS was formed was when Col. Rindam of the

Nigerian Army was killed by police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos in September 1992, later leading to
the arrest of three officers. When the information reached the army, soldiers were dispatched into the
streets of Lagos in search of any police officer.

The Nigerian police withdrew from checkpoints, security areas, and other points of interest for criminals,
some police officers were said to have resigned while others fled for their lives.

Due to the absence of police for two weeks, the crime rate increased and SARS was formed with only 15
officers operating in the shadows without knowledge of the army while monitoring police radio chatters.

Due to the existence of three already established anti-robbery squads that were operational at that
time, Midenda needed to distinguish his squad from the already existing teams.

Midenda named his team Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). After months of dialogue the Nigerian
Army and the Nigeria Police Force came to an understanding and official police duties began again in
Lagos. The SARS unit was officially commissioned in Lagos following a ceasefire by the army after
settlement.

SARS was one of the 14 units in the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, which was
established to detain, investigate and prosecute people involved in crimes like armed robbery,
kidnapping, and other forms of crime

9. SPECIAL FRAUD UNIT (SFU)

Police Special Fraud Unit is a section of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), a highest
investigation arm of the Nigeria Police.
The PSFU is headed by the Commissioner of Police – COMPOL Ibrahim Lamorde (BSc, MSc, Mni) and Its
function include investigation and prosecution of serious and complex fraudulent cases within and
outside the country.

The PSFU serve as an internal resource within the FCID, conducting research and investigation into
potential fraudulent activity. The Special Fraud Unit, provides assistance in reviewing situations where
potential fraud has been identified. The definition of fraud is the “intentional misrepresentation of a
material fact for personal gain”.

The PSFU comprises of investigators who focus on both employee and employer fraud. In order to
recognize potential fraud instances, the special investigator uses a thorough investigation procedure.

If you have a potential fraud situation that you would like to report, please call and ask to speak with our
Investigation Unit at PSFU.

10. HOMICIDE

The Section is headed by a Commissioner of Police (CP Adamu Hassan). It is charged with the
investigation of cases of murder, manslaughter and related cases. It also investigates cases as directed
by IGP and DIG ‘D’ Department.

11. GENERAL INVESTIGATION

The Section is headed by a Commissioner of Police (CP James O. Aroniyo). It is saddled with the
responsibility of investigating those cases that are sensitive and complex in nature that require
specialized investigation techniques.

12. INTERPOL SECTION

he Section is headed by a Commissioner of Police (CP Adeniji Adeola Adeleke).

The Section is also known as the National Central Bureau Interpol Lagos/Abuja which is an affiliate of
the ICPO – Interpol with Headquarters at Lyon, France.
It serves as the link between Nigeria Police and the world. The Section keeps records of Nigerian
deportees and investigates cases that crosses national boundary.

It also liaises between the Force and the Embassies/High Commissions in Nigeria.

13. THE CENTRAL CRIMINAL REGISTRY (CCR)

The CCR is headed by a Commissioner of Police (Ag/CP Salau O. Waheed). The functions of the CCR are:

a. The maintenance of records of known criminals convicted in Nigeria and abroad,

b. Collating necessary information about crime and criminals,

c. Maintaining criminal index in such a manner as to trace it easily for reference purposes, d. Maintain
links with:

All Police Commands,

Government Departments such as Prisons, etc,

Supply of information on criminal records to Interpol. Nigerian Police Sections

14. X-SQUAD

The X-Squad Section is headed by a Commissioner of Police (CP Ali Amodu). The Section is a striking
force used for anti corruption crusade of the Nigeria Police Force.

It also carries out “sting operations” on officers involved in bribery, corruption, other forms of official
misconducts and the flouting of the directives of the IGP. It also carries out surveillance activities at
Banks and other important places
Governance and oversight of the Nigeria Police

The Nigeria Police Force is ruled by a Nigeria Police Council which comprises of the

President of the nation as the Chairman, the Governor of each state, the Chairman of the police

service commission and the Inspector-General of Police. The Nigeria Police Force is ruled by a Nigeria
Police Council which comprises of the

President of the nation as the Chairman, the Governor of each state, the Chairman of the police

service commission and the Inspector-General of Police.

Police and Law

Law enforcement is carried out mainly by police, which is defined as a civil force responsible for
prevention and detection of crime and maintenance of public order. The term ‘police’ therefore includes
all law enforcement agencies: national, local, and specific services that exercise police powers, for
example, community police, detective and investigations branches of the police. The police are an
integral part of the criminal justice chain that links together state security and justice provision.

Issues on Powers and Duties of Nigeria Police

Functions and Duties of the Nigerian Police Force

1. Conduct prosecutions

The Police Act confers on police officers the duty to conduct, in person, all prosecutions before any court
whether or not the information or complaint is laid in his name. The power to prosecute given to the
police is exercised in all criminal matters. In fact, all criminal cases are initiated by the police. It is the
duty of the police to file criminal cases in court after the preliminary investigation and start legal
proceedings against the accused person(s).
However, this duty of the police is subject to the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, 1999,
which relates to the power of the Attorney General of the federation and of state to institute and
undertake, take over, and continue or discontinue criminal proceedings against any person before any
court of law in Nigeria.

The police officer in conducting prosecution serve as an intermediary between the citizens who are the
victim of offence and the state against which the crime is committed. Merely forbidden the doing of
certain acts is ineffective if breaches cannot be followed by panel sanctions.

Accordingly punishment is aimed at security compliance with the norms of right conduct which are
necessary for the smooth running of the society. Fear of punishment in this regard is highly respected
for a community which is too ready to forgive crime may end up Condoning it.

In Andrew v C.O.P W/2CA/74 (Unreported), the lower court sentenced the accused to one year
imprisonment for burglary, on appeal to the high Court, the court viewed the sentence as derisively law
and as such it would make a mockery of the administration of justice. This is an evidence of a successful
prosecution of a criminal case by the police.

The ultimate goal of police prosecution is to achieve the disablement or deterrence of the offender. For
the prosecution of the society, the offender should be disabled from commission of further crimes. The
police prosecution at any given event is aimed at securing maximum punishment for the offence
committed.

Functions of the Nigerian Police Force

Functions of the Nigerian Police Force

2. Maintenance of law and order

One of the legal duties of the Nigerian Police Force is the maintenance of law and order in the Nation.
The police is the only public officer charged with this responsibility in Nigeria. For this reason, whenever
there is a disorder or dispute in any part of Nigeria, the police is by law, obliged by law to take care of
the situation. It should also be noted that the is an executed organ and government and as such, it has
the constitutional power to implement laws passed by the National Assembly and other policies of the
government.

Take for instance, if the government makes a policy that stops the selling to certain goods by the road
side, it is on the police as an executive organization of the government to execute that policy. That is, to
make sure that the policy is enforced.

The Nigerian police force also has the responsibility of protecting the lives of citizens in the country.
Take for instance, where a particular crime which is capable of taking the life anybody is committed, it is
the legal obligation of the Nigerian Police Force to stop such crime as fast as it can.

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3. Make an arrest

Undoubtedly, another obvious duty of the Nigerian Police Force is to make an arrest when necessary.
This is a very important duty in the police act because, If the law did not make provision for arrest,
criminals would have gone unpunished each time they are caught. There would have been liberty for
criminals.

To deal squarely with criminals, the law allows derogation of certain fundamental human rights in the
interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health or for the purpose of
protecting the rights and freedom of other persons, in so far as the derogation is for the welfare of the
society and is within the ambit of the law. This is corroborated in section 45 of the constitution of the
federal republic of Nigeria, 1999.

The power of the Nigerian Police to arrest is treated in two perspectives for the purpose or effecting the
arrest of suspects. Arrest is either with warrant or without warrant. Section 10 of the criminal procedure
Act, provides that arrest can be made without a warrant. This authority is exercisable in respect of
offences committed in such officers presence.

Ths Act also provides that notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other written law in relation to
arrest, a police officer knowing of a design to commit any offence may arrest, without order from a
magistrate, and without any warrant, the person so designing, if it appears to such officers that the
commission of offence cannot otherwise be prevented.

In addition to power to arrest without warrant, conferred upon a police officer by section 10 of the
Criminal Procedure Act, a police officer can call any persons to his assistance to arrest any other person
committing a crime.

4. Conduct a search

Although the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guaranteed and protected the right of
private and family life, this right notwithstanding is not absolute, a superior police officer may be
authorized under his hand, authorize any police officer to enter any house, shop warehouse or other
premises in search of stolen property and search therein and seize and secure any property he may
believe to have been stolen, in the same manner as he would be authorized to do if he had a search
warrant, and the properly seized, if any, corresponded to the property described in such search warrant.

It is argued that the major reason why the law gave the Nigerian police force this duty is to aid them in
performing their duty to ensure safety and protection of the lives of citizens.

In law, the ordinary law of tresses to land applies to a police officer unless his conduct is justifiable under
the law. If a police officer is discharging a lawful duty, any person who disturbs him, will be charged for
serious assault and obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty.
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5. Power to grant bail

The police act also makes it incumbent on the Nigerian Police Force to grant bail under certain
circumstances. Take for instance, If a person is arrested without warrant for an offence which is not
punishable with death, any officer in charge of the police station may, in any case, and shall, if it will not
be practicable to bring such person before a magistrate or justice of peace having jurisdiction with
respect to the offence charged within twenty four (24) hours after he was taken in to custody, inquire
into the case, and, unless the offence appear to such officer to be of a serious nature, discharge the
person upon his entering into a recognizance with or without sureties for a reasonable amount to
appear before the court at the time and place named in the recognizance.

But where such a person is retained in custody he should be brought before a court or justice of peace
having jurisdiction with respect to the offence or empowered to deal with such person as soon a
practicable, whether or not the police inquiries are completed.

If the officer believes that inquiry into the case cannot be completed forthwith, he may discharge the
arrested person on his entry into a recognizance with or without sureties for a reasonable amount to
appear at the police station at the time stated in the recognizance.

6. Power to take fingerprints

Lastly, The Police Act conferred on the Nigerian Police Force the duty and power to identify any citizen
of Nigeria either by taking his/her measurement, photograph, and fingerprints impression.

The Act provides that it shall be lawful for any police officer to take and record for the purpose of
identification the measurement, photograph, and fingerprints impression of all persons who may from
time to time be in lawful custody; provided that if such measurements, photographs and fingerprints are
taken of a person who has not previously been convicted of any criminal offence, and if such, person is
discharged and acquitted by a court, all records relating to such measurements, photographs and
fingerprints impressions shall forthwith be destroyed or handed over to such person.

The Act also provides that any person who shall refuse to submit to the taking and recording of his
measurements, photographs or fingerprints impressions shall be taken before a magistrate who on
being satisfied that such person is in lawful custody, shall make an order as he thinks fit authorizing a
police officer to take the measurements, photographs and fingerprints impression of the such person.