EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLING AND THE RULE OF ENGAGEMENT IN THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE

The growing concern by generality of the Nigerian public over the incidence of abuse off irearms by the Nigerian Police, has demonstrated an absence of a comprehensive crime control strategy in the country. The damaging effect of this orthodox situation is hardly acknowledged by the government; let alone taking deliberate steps to put an end to it. Police officers need to legitimately carry firearms to incapacitate dangerous armed criminals, and are constitutionally empowered to use force during their daily tasks. However, the almost daily occurrence of "extra judicial killings," “accidental discharge, "etc. causing fatal harms on innocent citizens, have now become a source of serious security and safety concerns in the country. The utter disregards of rules of engagements with impunity by the police not only question the ability of the government to protect its citizens but also undermine its credibility. Even though government has frequently appointed committees to advise it on the way forward, regrettably, the reports of such committees are never implemented. This study, examines “extra judicial killings, and rule of engagement in the Nigerian police force" as well as the state and courses of extra judicial killings in Nigeria. The study used secondary source data and The Professional and Bureaucratic Model as it theoretical framework. The paper therefore, recommend that government should strive to promote the rule of law and accountability and fight against impunity, the police should be strengthened through adequate equipment, patrol vehicles with communication equipment's, training and retraining, better welfare packages, and motivation to ensure best performance. Above all, the society in general should enhance security by creating a disciplined and law-abiding citizenry imbued with the right values and attitude towards safeguarding life and property in the country.