ASSESSING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICE BRUTALITY AND PUBLIC LEGAL COMPLIANCE IN EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

Nigeria continues to grapple with persistent allegations of police misconduct and widespread human rights violations by security personnel, often igniting strong public reactions. Despite repeated denials by top officials within the Nigerian Police Force regarding the use of torture during interrogations, numerous academic and investigative reports reveal that coercive methods remain a core aspect of police investigative practices. This study critically examined the recurring issue of police brutality and human rights abuses in Nigeria, with a specific focus on the operations within Abakaliki and Ikwo local government areas. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach—primarily through the administration of structured questionnaires to 400 selected residents—the research uncovered that torture remains a prevalent tool used by the police to extract confessions from suspects. Accounts from former detainees detailed harrowing experiences, such as being tied and suspended in agonizing positions, as well as being subjected to beatings using boots, fists, gun butts, electrical cables, animal hides, and other makeshift weapons. The study identified a major contributing factor to this pattern: a lack of adequate investigative training and resources within the police force, which fosters dependency on physical coercion as an investigative shortcut. The findings underscore an urgent need for the Nigerian government to enhance the operational capacity of its police personnel by investing in proper training and modern investigative techniques. Furthermore, there is a pressing necessity to instill a culture of professionalism and accountability within the force to curb these systemic abuses.