A new study has revealed that corruption, misconduct and fear of victimisation are eroding Nigerians’ trust in the police and could be making it harder for security agencies to obtain vital information needed to fight crime.
The study, conducted by James Ojo Adakole and published in IRE Journals, surveyed 256 Nigerians to examine public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the factors influencing citizens’ willingness to share security intelligence.
Its findings reveal a significant trust gap between citizens and the police.
About 84.8 per cent of respondents said corruption and police misconduct had reduced their confidence in the NPF, while 85.2 per cent said they did not believe police officers treat citizens fairly and without bias.
The study also found that 67.6 per cent of respondents considered police officers in their communities unprofessional in their dealings with the public.
Trust in Police Remains Low
The research found that 62.9 per cent of respondents did not trust the police to protect lives and property in their communities.
Meanwhile, 72.7 per cent lacked confidence in the force’s ability to respond effectively to security threats.
According to the researcher, respondents’ attitudes were shaped largely by their personal experiences with the police rather than rumours or second-hand accounts.
Nigerians Willing to Help — If They Feel Safe
Despite the low level of trust, the study found that many Nigerians are still willing to support the police in tackling insecurity.
About 74.6 per cent said they would report suspicious activities, while 84.4 per cent said they would share useful security information to help prevent crime.
But trust remains a critical factor.
More than half of respondents — 52 per cent — said their willingness to share intelligence depended on how much they trusted the police.
Even more significantly, 88.7 per cent said they would be more willing to cooperate with security agencies if their confidence in the police improved.
Fear of Victimisation Keeps Citizens Silent
The study identified fear as another major barrier to intelligence sharing.
About 68.4 per cent of respondents said they did not feel safe giving information to the police because they feared intimidation or victimisation.
Only 35.2 per cent trusted the police to keep information provided by citizens confidential.
The findings suggest that some Nigerians may have useful information about criminal activity but could choose not to report it because they fear the consequences.
What the Study Recommends
The researcher called on the Nigeria Police Force to intensify efforts to identify and discipline erring officers while introducing regular training focused on professionalism and public engagement.
The study also recommended more community meetings between police officers and residents to address grievances and rebuild relationships.
It further urged the establishment of stronger confidentiality safeguards to reassure citizens that information shared with the police would remain protected.
The researcher argued that citizen-led intelligence is critical to Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, particularly as criminal networks continue to threaten communities, homes and travellers.
The study concluded that without public goodwill, the police may struggle to effectively tackle insecurity.
For the Nigeria Police Force, the findings point to a simple but important reality: winning the trust of citizens could be just as important as gathering intelligence itself.
