Youths Brutalization by Security Operatives and the Challenges of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria

Olaniyi O. Ogunfadebo & Temitope E. Abiodun

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Abstract

The alarming rate of brutality by security operatives in the country has not only queried the efficiency of police personnel in discharging their responsibilities but has also questioned Nigeria’s democracy. The prevailing levels of impunity and high-handedness have engendered acrimonious relationship among the citizens, particularly the youths, which has aggravated security problems in all spheres. The Police established the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to combat and stem the tide of crime and criminality (arm-robbery, kidnapping and banditry) in the country. Unfortunately, this special unit of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), over the years, abused their offices through series of unprofessional conducts, gross violation of fundamental human rights and several other acts of brutality against innocent citizens. The study adopted the Failed State and Social Contract theories while secondary data were used to gather information. The findings revealed that the brutality of the youths by the security operatives was due to default training for police officers, inadequate funding/resources, uncontrolled anger/emotions, corruption, use of illicit drugs, excessive consumption of alcohol as well as absence of citizen-centred police reforms programme in Nigeria. The paper recommended inter-alias, that the Nigerian government should strengthen the intelligence gathering unit of the Nigeria police, put in place a robust police/public relation department to enhance a two-way communication system between the police and the citizens, especially the youth who are the most active segment of the society, amend the 1999 constitution to allow state government control of the police and disband the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad to checkmate incessant killing and brutality and improve service delivery by the security operatives.

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