President Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed the Nigeria Police Bill 2020 into law. This was disclosed by Femi Adesina, the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity on Thursday, in a statement titled “President Buhari assents to Police Bill 2020”.
By this law, the Police Act Cap. P.19 – Law of the Federation, 2004, is summarily repealed. The new Act makes provision for a more effective and well-organised policing, driven by the principles of transparency and accountability in it’s operation and management of it’s resources.
In particular, the new Police Act establishes an appropriate funding framework for the police, in line with what obtains in other federal institutions. It enhances professionalism and creates cooperation and synergy between the police and the communities for combating of crimes and enduring peace.
The Nigerian public opinion poll however, is not excited by the new police regulation. To the citizens, it appears nothing good can ever come out of the police force. In their layman’s view, , any reform that does not equip the police to competently and effectively combat crimes; that does not stop the oozing corrupt practices in the system; that does not restore the integrity and respect of the police as a reliable internal security service provider; that does not flush out the bad eggs and quacks; any law that does not enforce all these, is a sheer waste of time, energy and resources.