NIGERIA POLICE FORCE: DUTY, PROFESSIONALISM & RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST IN THE AGE OF BOKO HARAM, GLOBAL TERRORISM AND OTHER LAW-ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGES!©
--Attorney Patryk Utulu

“We live and thrive on encouragement and, without it, die slowly and sometimes, painfully.”

Statement made by a young Albanian Catholic nun, Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, who at 19 moved to India (1929), learnt the local Bengali language and started a literacy campaign by teaching rural kids to read.

I recalled the above statement for three reasons:

(1): I often visit the Nigeria Police Force website, WWW.NPF.GOV.NG which on Nov 19, 2013, published a press release entitled, “Peacekeeping: Nigeria Police Force Deploys 400 Personnel to Liberia and the Sudan.” Signed by NPF’s media savvy Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, it stated that officers were deploying “in support of U.N. mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and African Union/U.N. joint operation in Dafur (UNAMID).” There were pictures of: NPF’s Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, a reform-minded professional who is gaining positive reputation in International Police circles for personal integrity and for improving officers’ salaries, training, public relations outreach, and introducing mandatory investigation of allegations of misconduct and other institutional reforms; the Norwegian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Rof Ree; Nigeria Defence Attaché to China, Brig. Gen. Aliyu; and Senior Police and Military Officers, etc., who had gathered to review deploying officers’ demonstrations of “operational skills and tactics on Crowd/Riots Control and other ancillary policing strategies in line with global best practices in policing and UN standards.” But what captured my imagination was the bold declaration of Nigeria’s “commitment to global and regional peace and security” and of NPF officers “currently on international peacekeeping assignments in nine countries: Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan.”

(2): That led me to pondering whether or not Nigerians are sufficiently aware of the commitment, professionalism, regional security leadership, and goodwill that NPF officers bring to the Fatherland.

(3): Which led me to articulating humble reasons to urge fellow Nigerians to balance their constitutional right to vigorously scrutinize and criticize NPF officers with Nigeria’s national interest and our patriotic duty to recognize, appreciate and encourage officers who – all things considering – seem to be performing well under the daily pressures of fighting both petty criminals and overlapping triad of political anarchists, domestic terrorists, and ruthless 21st Century transnational crime cartels.

MEASURING NPF: In 1861, in the then-Lagos Colony, a Consular Guard of Nigerians was set up as the “Nigeria” Police. In 1930, regional Northern Nigeria Police and Southern Nigeria Police merged to form the Nigeria Police Force. NPF’s core police functions include, but are not limited to, supporting internal security for the general public, prisons, and immigration and custom services. NPF’s critical auxiliary functions include performing military duties within or outside Nigeria. OK, here’s the interesting part: Although politically untainted census data is not readily available Nigeria’s population is realistically estimated at about one hundred and seventy-five million (175M). So Nigeria is one of Africa’s 54 nations but makes up roughly one-sixth (1/6) of Africa’s one billion and thirty-five million (1,035B) people. NPF has about 731,800 officers, one third (1/3) of whom are support staff. Therefore, assuming NPF has about 480,000 field officers each Nigerian police officer is responsible for monitoring 365 Nigerians the majority of whom live in rural stretches of Nigeria’s 923,768 square kilometers land mass.
What, one might ask, is the relevance of the immediately-preceding statistics?

First, any realistic Evaluation of Expectations and Outcomes must begin with honest Assessments of available resources! To realistically evaluate our desired outcomes of security for lives and property, Nigerians must review whether they have made themselves available to NPF as citizens-support system. Successful policing depends on it. It is unreasonable to ask a person to take a knife to a gun fight and then blame him for not holding his ground. Second, statistics provides new angles for reviewing old assumptions. For example, it is only through “statistical” analysis that we see the truth that when occupied by 5 people, a 3-bedroom house has 10X MORE ROOMS than a 24-bedroom mansion occupied by 400 people. I once asked a U.S. Police Chief how it was possible that his 700-man police force effectively policed a county [Local Govt. Area] of 850,000 people. Without a pause, he said it was because “all citizens and their cellphones act in support of my officers by reporting crimes and acting as witnesses.” In other words, security is enhanced by shared governance and Police-Public Partnership!

ARE POLICE OFFICERS FRIENDS OR FRENEMIES? Few dispute that NPF is nonpolitical, nonsectarian and – like the Super Eagles – truly national. Nor does anyone doubt that police officers undertake dangerous and indispensable missions at home and abroad. Global statistics unfailingly show that police work ranks among the Top Ten (10) Most Dangerous Jobs in most nations. Fighting an urban insurgency on Nigerian soil poses unique challenges for NPF. The citizens of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe are understandably upset. No one likes to live under occupation. If foreign occupation is tough enough, it is almost insufferable when you feel occupied by military/police security forces of your own country. But Nigerian Government cannot be expected to surrender or cede any part of our Fatherland to appease those who would make political statements by bombing churches, mosques, schools, and government facilities. Especially not Borno, which has cultural, historical, religious and other symbolisms! Police gets blamed anytime civil order is imperiled. As insurgents have tried to destroy the nation’s political authority, Nigeria has responded through counter-insurgency. So, innocent citizens harmed by Boko Haram blame NPF for not wiping out the terrorists. Other innocent people harmed by security counter-measures also blame NPF for what they perceive as Nigerian security forces’ “reckless highhandedness.” NPF is boxed in because it’s almost impossible to keep throwing stones into an open market without hitting someone.

So, again, the problematic question: are Nigerian police officers friends of Nigerians?

Opinions may differ as to the degree of NPF’s friendliness but they are certainly NOT enemies! Boko Haram is waging a war against Nigeria’s constitutional order. For Nigeria it is an existential war because to cede any territory to Boko Haram is to set a precedent the logical sequential end of which would be the demise of Nigeria as a cohesive sovereign entity. There’s a job to be done and someone has to do it. That someone is the Nigeria Police Force. NPF is the tip of Nigeria’s spear. In an ideal world NPF would be perfect. But we don’t live in a fantasy world where surgery is possible without spilling blood. Practical law enforcement is not like Independence Day parade where officers dress up in ceremonial uniforms, smile at bosom-feeding kids and salute the national flag. Police Officers do dirty work because we ask them to, because we expect them to, and because civilization is about subcontracting those duties we would rather not hear, see or talk about.

This is not to argue that Nigeria Police Force has been blameless.

Roots of NPF’s poor image with Nigerians are well-known: (1) NPF was founded as a tool of colonial occupation, and from 1861-1960, acted as such, (2) past NPF High Command never actively recruited educated cadets. Nigeria WAS wealthy. People don’t apply for dangerous jobs in good times so dullards joined NPF, and any organization is only as good as the sum of its parts, (3) NPF is the uniform service that symbolizes what Nigerians think of as “The Government” so police is blamed anytime law enforcement is too harsh (even if effective), and equally blamed when security lapses, and (4) NPF officers are their own worst enemies. Many police officers continue to undermine the neutrality of their oath. Nothing destroys public confidence in the police more than to see officers acting as 2-penny zombie bodyguards to lowlife scoundrels, fake traditional rulers, and local government politicians.
It is indisputable that I believe in, and staunchly support the indispensable mission of Nigeria Police Force. But I serve Nigeria first. To cure a disease one must first identify it, and no one listens to a friend who isn’t strong enough to tell NPF where it is deficient and what it must do to regain trust and respect.

A SECOND CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION: given the history of distrust between Nigerians and NPF is reconciliation is even possible? Can the police get a second chance to make a first impression? Pragmatic answer is yes, it will be tough but not impossible. Despite misconceptions Nigerians do not hate their police. Nigerians are just disappointed. But the only good thing about disappointment is that it comes from goodwill rather than from hatred. Goodwill is the reason we often get disappointed in family member because we want them to do well. And why we are never disappointed in our enemies.

What practical steps should Nigerians and NPF take to start rewriting the history of fear and suspicion?

(1): NPF officers have to stop acting like time bombs around fellow Nigerians! It is sad but true that some Nigerians believe the police pose a greater danger to them than armed robbers. Police High Command can easily change that narrative by enforcing new rules of engagement for officers. PHC must retrain officers, then dismiss and prosecute those who break the law. The police culture of impunity hurts police as much as it hurts citizens because rotten officers pose grave dangers to investigations and undercover detectives. There’s no reason why police officers will not see responsible behavior as an acceptable sacrifice for recognition and respect, if Command leads the way! No one is suggesting it will be easy. Rubbing two stones of uneven surfaces against each other generates heat and dust. But it also chips enough edges off of each stone to a point of mutual alignment. Even NPF’s Peacekeeping mission experiences will be helpful. Peacekeeping missions are often in war zones! If NPF officers could serve on these missions (as they have) with restraint and professionalism to international acclaim, they also can be incentivized by training and discipline to stop being trigger happy against Nigerians, on Nigerian soil.

(2): NIGERIANS must accept that Police have tough jobs to do and must stop forcing officers to choose between loyalty to tribes and their sworn oath under law. Tribal allegiance is not supreme because even the rule of law has exceptions. U.S. Constitution strongly protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures but NOT at U.S. international borders or airports. Americans accept this heightened intrusion on privacy because of mature strategic awareness that airports, airways and borders represent first lines of national defense, and that police may lawfully act forcefully, intrusively, and decisively against anyone, including Americans. Otherwise, organized criminals, terrorists, unauthorized aliens, and even opportunistic law breakers will enter the country and undermine security, and law and order.

(3): NPF/NIGERIANS must start placing new value on the lives of NIGERIANS/NPF. An unwritten rule of international relations is that nations and governments are admired according to the value each nation places on the lives of its citizens. Officers who uphold their oaths only according to the size of a citizen’s wallet should realize that citizens won’t risk their own lives for those they consider corrupt. If Nigerian police officers can publicly demonstrated professionalism and restraint to deescalate tension and reduce needless loss of civilian lives, their actions will be rewarded in change of citizens’ attitude towards the NPF! Even criminals have been to known to keep or kill their victims according to how much effort police invests in tracking killers instead of nonviolent offenders. Nigerians can distinguish between strength and aggression. They understand that NPF has to be strong to enforce peace. So, police do NOT need to constantly demonstrate aggression to prove strength. National Police maintains operational edge through training, rigid discipline, superior firepower and the possibility of organized reinforcement.

PRACTICAL THINGS NIGERIANS CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE NPF OFFICERS
(1) GREET POLICE OFFICERS: (yes, I know it sounds simplistic and naïve but haven’t you ever made acquaintances or built friendships that started with a simple nod, a smile, a handshake or an intro?)
(2) RESPECT OFFICERS’ OATH OF OFFICE: (accept the reality that even if an officer is your “best friend” he has a sworn duty to arrest you if you commit a crime anywhere or break the law in his presence)
(3) LEARN ABOUT NPF ORGANIZATION: (the more you know something the less alarming it seems. Use hyper-text transfer protocol, http://, or simply visit WWW.NPF.GOV.NG for information and updates on what NPF is doing in your name. Yes, NPF operates in your name whether or not you know it)
(4) TEACH OTHER PEOPLE POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT THE POLICE: (instead of always criticizing and disparaging the police, you can help NPF to help Nigeria. Your little effort goes a long way. As U.S. President J.F. Kennedy said, “it is better to light a candle than to sit idle and curse the darkness.”)

Here’s what I mean. Directly below, and hierarchically arranged, is the rank of all Nigerian police officers:
• The Inspector-General of Police
• The Deputy Inspector-General of Police
• The Asst. Inspector-General of Police
• The Commissioner of Police (In-charge of contingents in a state)
• The Deputy Commissioner of Police
• The Asst. Commissioner of Police
• The Chief Superintendent of Police
• The Superintendent of Police
• The Deputy Superintendent of Police
• The Asst. Superintendent of Police
• The Inspector of Police
• Sergeant Major
• Sergeant
• Corporal
• Constable

PRACTICAL THINGS POLICE CAN DO TO EARN RESPECT AND LOYALTY OF FELLOW NIGERIANS
Police training leads to contradictory temperaments: how to be friendly without being so familiar as to undermine police authority; to be professional without being too stern; to carry firearms but resist the impulse to use it; to always distinguish between citizens who want to be friendly from those who aim to use “ostensible” friendship with officers as a tool of intimidation, malfeasance or outright criminality.
But Police Hand Command can resolve these contradictions by taking the following practical steps. By:
(1) Developing special teams of police officers to handle special duties requiring precision
(2) Developing police-public partnerships for citizen participation and collaboration
(3) Enhancing Police Public Relations outreach and feedback (Nigerians can’t help if you don’t ask them)
(4) Opening police recruitment centers in universities campuses and technical schools
(5) Incentivizing officers through retraining, salary adjustment, home-buying assistance, and promotion
(6) Using value-added assessment for yearly evaluation (don’t keep officers beyond their relevance)
(7) Hiring private strategists to teach officers critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills

ORIGINAL SIN: Though it isn’t possible or advisable for NPF to refuse legitimate requests for police escorts, the Inspector General of Police can issue immediate NPF-wide directive placing strict limits on who qualifies for, and how police should perform, escort duties. Guarding politicians isn’t a core duty of NPF. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then it must be priceless portraits of shame for Nigerians to see officers acting as “gatemen” for politicians. What goddamn reason justifies a jeep full of uniformed NPF officers escorting unwashed local government politicians from one “pepper soup” joint to another?

Finally, Nigerians of today are duty-bound to advance the Nigeria of today. The duty to share the burden and benefits of cooperating with NPF to identify, isolate, investigate, intercept, and where necessary, imprison lawbreakers. To give up on your nation is to accept the intellectual superstition that your country is condemned to perpetual failure.

You can start by sharing this message with other people. Remember, people have to think you care before they can care what you think. About Nigeria! We know we can count on the goodwill of our friends in the following forums:
1) National Youth Empowerment Agency [NYEA]
2) The Kwandala Foundation
3) Sahara Reporters
4) Northern Youth Interactive Forum [NYOF]
5) Nigerian Bar Association
6) Borno Project
7) Nigeria Police Force Media Support Group-USA [NPFSG-USA]
Northern Nigeria Renaissance Group
9) Borno Writers Forum
10) Nairaland Forum
11) Forum for Nigerian Youth in Asia
12) Nigeria Police Force Media Support Group-UK [NPFMSG-UK]
13) Borno Professionals for Development
14) Zamfara Awareness Forum
15) The Political Discourse
16) Nigerian Voices
17) Bauchi State Discussion Forum
18) Nigeria Law Professionals USA
19) Borno Youth Foundation/Development Initiative
20) Vanguard News

DISCLAIMER: I am not employed by NPF. I am interested in NPF and I frequently visit its website because all NPF officers work for me. Yes, they all work for me! Of course, I can see how this statement may seem naive but it is no more naive than saying that Nigeria is mine. I have no certificate of incorporation to prove “ownership” but do any Nigerian doubt that Nigeria belongs to me? Forget what any textbooks, dictionaries and encyclopedias have to say. I’m saying that practical patriotism consists in the assurance of co-ownership of your nation: retaining interest, monitoring infrastructures (e.g., NPF), volunteering, investing time and even moderate personal expenses to ensuring that units of your nation succeed.

Remember that young Albanian Catholic nun?

Ah, yes! She cared and she made a difference. From teaching school kids in rural India she went on to establish the world-famous “Missionaries of Charity,” which currently has over 4,500 volunteer workers and is active in 133 countries where they operate children's counseling programs, orphanages, schools, soup kitchens for the poor, hospices and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and leprosy!!

And the world later came to know her as………Mother Teresa!!!


Patryk Utulu is a U.S.-based attorney and Strategic Communications Consultant
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