The Sociological Impart of Corruption and Sharp Practices on the Public Image of the Nigerian Police Force in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

Abstract

Corruption has become endemic in the Nigerian society today. Nearly all the facets of the nation are embroiled in one corruption case(s) or the other, even both the churches of God and men of God are not left out of the corruption scandal rocking the nation. In government offices, you have to rob the palm of the officials before you can get things done. Contracts are not awarded to the contractors who excel at the Tender interview except those that are ready to pay” kickbacks”. Outside the country, anywhere a Nigerian is, there must be corruption. In other words, Nigeria represents corruption. One institution that has been grossly affected by the ocean of corruption sweeping across the nation is the Nigerian Police. Corruption in the Nigeria Police came to a climax when the former Inspectors General of Police were alleged and convicted of embezzling billions of naira from Police fund. The police checkpoints have been turned to cash points where members of the force on patrol make quick money. Corruption has continued to bedevil the rank and file of the Nigerian Police. The major objective of this study was to know how corruption has affected the image of the Nigerian Police. The study also looked at the perception of the Nigerians toward the Nigerian Police. Consequently, Ado Ekiti which is the state capital was used as the study area for the research. Because it is the capital city, it has a population of about one million and five hundred thousand inhabitants. Quantitative research method was adopted. In the light of this, questionnaires were used to source for information on the research objectives. The result of the research revealed that criminals often seek solace in Police to get freedom through bribery. At times Police often collude with the criminals to perpetrate crime. It was revealed that the Police have turned checkpoints to Automated Teller Machine (ATM) centres where they harvest the perception of the people towards the Police is that, the Police is lazy, corrupt, inefficient and trigger-happy. The result of the research revealed high level of corruption within the rank and file of the Nigerian Police. Also, there were recommendations on how to stem down the increasing rate of corruption in the Police. Also, there were recommendations on how to encourage then performances of the Nigerian Police.