1.1 Introduction
The Niger Delta crises in the politics and economy of the country is something to discuss, the threat which it has been posing and still posing to domestic and international security of the Nigerian nation state is an aspect which requires critical academic enquiry. A systematic analysis of the crises is informed by my intention to identify the changing dynamics of what constitutes national security over the years and how the nation state of Nigeria have been contending with the threat which the Niger Delta crises is posing to the so called national security.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Over the last decade, Nigeria had experienced tremendous security challenges, ranging from militancy in the South-South geo-political zone, ethnic conflicts across the different geo-political zones to terrorism and insurgency in the North-East geo-political zone of the country. The terrorist insurgency in the North-East appears to be Nigeria’s worst security threat in the last few decades and had exposed some deep-seated lapses that had long existed in the governance process in the country (Nwogwugwu & Abioye, 2015). The UNDP observes that the incidence of citizens not trusting the state to adequately perform its statutory duty is not a uniquely Nigerian problem; rather it is something that had been observed amongst several states.
The Nigeria Police which is centrally controlled, has over the years metamorphosed to a state where it is allegedly characterized by various social vices such as graft, corruption, robbery, and indiscipline (Tunde-Awe, 2005). All these have posed and still pose serious security threats, resulting in loss of confidence by the citizens on the government and its security agencies. This has in turn continued to fuel agitations for the decentralization of the police for effective and efficient safeguarding of lives and property. It is view of the fore-going that the paper interrogated policy framework for community and state policing in Nigeria as mechanism for achieving effective security of lives and property in the country.
Historically, policing and police work did not start as a paid profession. Rather, it started as a noble, incorruptible profession with considerable responsibility and distinction (Newburn, 2004). Just as leadership mirrors the state of a given society, policing in Nigeria had always reflected the society that created it. The primary purpose of the police was to advance the economic and political agenda of the colonialist. It is historically accepted that, the police engaged in the brutal subjugation of communities and the suppression of resistance to colonial rule. Thus, the use of violence and repression from the beginning of colonial era marked a dislocation in the relationship between the police and local communities, which had characterized law enforcement practices in Nigeria ever since (Kupoluyi & Nwogwugwu, 2015).
Therefore, in Niger Delta where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the State Police and Curtailment of Security Crises in Nigeria.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that Niger Delta security crises at every point in time have threatened the primacy responsibility of the government in terms of security of lives and properties and the preservation of oneness of Nigeria as a single political entity. National security transcends the primary role of the government in the protection of lives and properties. It also involves the international security and sovereignty.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to scrutinize the State Police and Curtailment of Security Crises in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To find out how the Niger Delta security crises affects Nigerian State Police
- To investigate the causes of ineffectiveness of centralized police in Niger Delta
- To examine the processes taken by the state police in reducing the insecurities in Nigeria
- To assess the impact of established state police in Niger Delta
- To examine how has the Niger Delta Police been contending with the security crises
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does Crises in Niger Delta security negatively impact Nigerian State Police?
- What are the causes of ineffectiveness of centralized police?
- What are the processes taken by the state police in reducing the insecurities in Nigeria?
- What would be the impact of state police if established?
- How has the Niger Delta Police been contending with the security crises?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H0: There is no significant factor instigating the ineffectiveness of centralized police in Niger Delta region
- H1: There is a significant factor instigating the ineffectiveness of centralized police in Niger Delta region
1.7 Significance of Study
The relevance for this work can best be appreciated from two major perspectives namely, the need to carry out a critical academic analysis of he origin of the Nigeria Delta crises and an appraisal of the impact of the Niger Delta crises on national security, hence the changing dynamics of the crises and the high degree of internationalization which its taken in recent years. The internationalization of the Niger Delta crises is as old as the history of the crises itself; however, in recent years the concern of the international community is getting higher and higher.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of this research is focused on the State Police and Curtailment of Security Crises in Nigeria using Niger Delta State Police as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
