ABSTRACT
In Nigeria, the history of the police dates back to the colonial administration; hence the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is one of the legacies of British rule. The Nigeria Police Force had its origin in Lagos (the then federal capital territory of Nigeria) more than 130 years ago. After independence in 1960, Louis Edet became the first indigenous inspector general of police (IGP). Presently, the Nigeria Police Force is headquartered in Abuja, the federal capital territory. The NPF has thirty-six state police commands headed by a commissioner of police. Generally, for administrative convenience, there are six zonal police commands. Each zonal police command is headed by an assistant inspector general (AIG). The NPF is constitutionally vested with functions and powers in section 194 of the Constitution of Nigeria, which states, “There shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which should be styled the Nigeria Police Force, and subject to the provisions of this section the Police force shall be established
Introduction 109 Career 110 Changes Experienced 112 Personal Policing Philosophy 113 Relationships with Other Security Agencies 115 Problems and Successes 116 Transnational Relations 118 Democratic Policing 119 Looking Ahead 120 Conclusion 121 Notes 121 Reference 122
for the federation … the members of the Nigeria Police Force shall have such powers and duties as may be conferred upon them by law.”
