4 weeks ago
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A United States-based Nigerian senior police officer, Monday Alade, has stated that the Nigerian police lag in professionalism and training of personnel.
This comes in light of several complaints by Nigerians that the police have assaulted and dehumanised them.
Recall that the police arrested some protesters during the fourth memorial of the EndSARS protest.
Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, the Maryland police officer said that the use of excessive force by the Nigerian police on peaceful citizens expressing their displeasure about government policies, which often result in hardship, is troubling.
Alade noted that the EndSARS protests highlighted how the police had underestimated and undermined the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
“Sadly, this has become a nightmare for Nigerians who suffer daily at the hands of these untrained and unprofessional officers. Like many Nigerians, both at the time and still today, I feel that the Nigerian police force as a whole lacks the accountability and transparency that modern-day police agencies require in the 21st century. This has enabled the unchecked use of force that is prevalent within the Nigerian police,” he explained.
Alade further stressed that comparing police practices in Nigeria and the US, especially in managing protests, revealed, “The perceived lack of accountability and insufficient police training to handle protests without escalating violence, while also ensuring that citizens’ rights are protected.”
“In Nigeria, the historical militarisation of the police, political interests, and inadequate reform efforts all influence how law enforcement addresses protests. In the U.S., the focus is more on racial biases, community-police relations, and the militarisation of local police departments,” he juxtaposed.
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