Human Rights and Security in Nigeria: The Promise and Perils of Community Policing

- SPECIAL REPORT- 

Strengthening Human Rights and Security in Nigeria: The Promise and Perils of Community Policing

In the face of mounting insecurity and rising death tolls across Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sounded the alarm. Its latest report reveals that more people were killed in the first half of 2025 (2,266 deaths) than in the entire year of 2024 (2,194 deaths). This staggering figure is not just a statistic, it’s a reflection of deteriorating safety, especially in rural and conflict-prone regions.

As kidnappings, insurgency, and communal violence surge, Nigeria is turning to a bold strategy: community policing. This local approach to public safety could either restore public confidence and stabilize the nation, or deepen existing fractures if left unregulated.

Anatomy of Nigeria’s Community Policing Strategy

Community policing in Nigeria centers on decentralized law enforcement, local participation, and proactive crime prevention. Key elements include:

• Special Constables: Recruited from within communities to support intelligence and patrols.
• Neighborhood Watch Groups: Citizens organized to report suspicious activity.
• Town Hall Engagements: Dialogue between police and communities to address grievances.
• Local Security Outfits: State-based teams like Amotekun in the South-West and the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps.

These mechanisms are supported by training in conflict resolution and cultural sensitivity, though rollout across states remains uneven.

Community Policing in Action: Success Stories

Across Nigeria, pockets of success highlight the potential of this approach:

• Lagos State: The Neighborhood Safety Corps has enhanced rapid response and reduced petty crime.
• Ekpoma, Edo State: Close engagement between police and locals led to a major drop in kidnappings.
• Bauchi State: Collaboration with local vigilantes improved intelligence and crime resolution.
• Yola North, Adamawa: Civic backing for community policing has fostered better police-public relations.

These localized wins showcase what’s possible when trust, visibility, and accountability are prioritized.

Persistent Challenges

Despite progress, community policing faces structural, political, and cultural headwinds, such as:

• Funding deficits and logistical shortfalls.
• Public distrust due to historical police abuses.
• Overlap and friction between formal police and informal security groups.
• Political interference in recruitment and operations.
• Lack of clear legal frameworks and oversight mechanisms.

Without systemic reforms, these challenges could undercut the very trust community policing seeks to build.

Global Perspectives: What Nigeria Can Learn

Other countries offer instructive models:

Country	Notable Practice	Relevance to Nigeria
🇺🇸 USA	Problem-solving policing with tech integration (CompStat)	Emphasizes data-driven security
🇬🇧 UK	Neighborhood teams with community engagement	Underscores trust and visibility
🇯🇵 Japan	Kōban police boxes with embedded officers	Shows the power of preventive, relational policing
🇮🇳 India	Localized models for communal harmony and inclusion	Highlights grassroots customization

Human Rights Crossroads

Nigeria’s overall human rights record is marred by:

• Low freedom from arbitrary arrest (2.5/10).
• Suppression of protest and press freedom.
• Rampant gender-based violence and child rights violations.
• Weak implementation of socio-economic rights.

While the NHRC continues to advocate for accountability, rights abuses—especially by state actors—remain widespread.

Broader Perspectives Often Overlooked

Several human-centered angles deserve urgent attention:

• Mental health and trauma recovery for survivors and displaced persons.
• Child protection in conflict areas and IDP camps.
• Disability inclusion in security and emergency response planning.
• Shrinking civic space due to crackdowns on protests and online expression.
• Climate-induced conflicts, especially in Northern Nigeria.

Factoring in these dimensions is essential for any lasting solution.

Socio-Political & Economic Impacts

When done right, community policing can:

• Enhance citizen trust in government and law enforcement.
• Stabilize local economies by restoring safe environments for commerce.
• Boost civic engagement and democratic participation.

However, if poorly implemented, it could lead to:

• Increased vigilantism, politicization, or communal division.
• Human rights abuses, deepening public cynicism.
• Wasted investment and missed opportunities for reform.

Final Word: Reform as a Responsibility

Nigeria stands at a crossroads. With the right mix of community empowerment, federal support, transparency, and long-term investment, community policing could be the bridge between insecurity and renewal. But it must be backed by institutional reform, civic education, and unwavering respect for human rights.

The path to peace is not paved with armed convoys, but with trust, inclusion, and local voices being heard and protected.