Police Brutality and Human Rights in Shagamu Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Police brutality is a global phenomenon. The practice has dire consequences for fundamental human rights. It has far and remote implications for loss of lives and property. The limited literature on the police brutality and human rights prompted this research. The study assessed police brutality and human rights in Shagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. It adopted mixed research methods and it is descriptive and cross-sectional in nature. It is anchored strain and routine activity theories. Primary data were obtained through the administration of questionnaire on 108 respondents in Shagamu, Ogun State. The Yamane Taro formula was adopted to determine the sample size. Simple and stratified sampling methods were employed. The study hypothesis tested on the significant relationship between police brutality and security of lives and property. The P-value of 0.292 exceeded the level of significance at 0.05, meaning that police brutality leads to loss of lives and property. The study recommends an established criminal justice system for trial and punishment of erring police officers while members of the public should be well-educated on their fundamental human rights as well as limits of police officers.