HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY THE NIGERIAN POLICE: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE IN A DEMOCRACY

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY THE NIGERIAN POLICE: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE IN A DEMOCRACY

ABSTRACT

This study critically examines the experiences of Nigerians in the hands of the Nigerian police in its current democratic dispensation with regards to the violations of human rights, using the methods of triangulation in the collection and analysis of data. Findings of the study provide ample evidence of gross violations of the human rights of her citizen as perpetuated by the police. The government‟s lack of commitment to pursuing democratic ideals of human rights is identified to be a major setback of those fighting injustice in the nation. The study also found that majority of the victims of human rights violations by the police are innocent of the offences they were accused of committing. The study recommends viable ways of significantly reducing the on-going incidences of human rights violations in Nigeria so as to restore the confidence of the citizens in the police force.