THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF POLICE VIOLENCE ON ROAD USERS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The researcher investigated lapses in one of the major responsibilities of Nigerian police which is protecting of lives and properties. Assumptions states that, on daily basis, most innocent citizens are violated unjustly by uniformed men. Findings revealed that, to check crime, road blocks are mounted, they extort money from road users whether guilty of offence or not. They use slangs such as “match it”, “park well”, “see me”, “do something”, “bring closing remark”, “watin dey for your boy”, your boy dey hungry, roger, offering, “wash my hand” and “shake body”, in the process of extorting of money. Officers become violent on resistant citizens to the point of inflicting traumatizing injury on victims. Predatory and structural strain theories were used for explanations of factors predisposing police to violence. From sample frame of 412, data was generated from 291 respondents. Data were gathered using quantitative and qualitative instruments. Through the use of statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), data was analyzed using simple percentage and verbatim quotes.