The recent tragic killing of 14-year-old Kehinde Alade by a police officer during a traffic pursuit in Ibadan represents more than just another case of police brutality. It is a stark reminder that Nigeria’s crisis of police brutality is far from over. It exposes a systemic crisis that carries profound social costs for nations worldwide.
Kehinde’s death, which occurred as he was on his way to sit for the crucial West African Senior School Certificate Examination, has sparked outrage and grief, but also a weary sense of déjà vu. The official response — blaming the victim’s father’s alleged traffic infraction — rings hollow in a country where encounters with law enforcement too often end in tragedy, and where accountability remains elusive.
This incident is not isolated. It is part of a disturbing pattern that has played out across Nigeria’s cities and towns, where citizens seeking protection from the police instead find themselves at risk of violence or even death. The government’s instinct to defend the police, or to shift blame onto victims, only deepens public mistrust, as has happened in this case.
Police brutality is not unique to Nigeria. From the favelas of Brazil to the streets of the United States, the unlawful use of force by law enforcement is a global problem, often fuelled by racism, discrimination, and a lack of accountability.
Amnesty International has documented how, in many countries, officers who kill or injure civilians are rarely held to account. Investigations are often perfunctory, and legal frameworks sometimes grant police virtual immunity, creating a climate where abuses can occur with impunity.
As recent studies show, the impact of high-profile incidents of police brutality extends far beyond the communities where they occur. The killing of George Floyd in 2020 was a global watershed moment. It triggered massive protests and forced governments around the world to confront the deep-rooted issues within their policing systems.
The global scale of this challenge becomes clearer when examining violence containment costs worldwide. The economic impact of violence containment reached $9.46 trillion annually, representing 11 percent of Gross World Product. This staggering figure demonstrates that addressing police brutality is not merely about justice — it is about unlocking economic potential worth trillions of dollars globally.
International experiences offer valuable lessons for countries like Nigeria seeking comprehensive reform. The United Kingdom offers an instructive case; following accountability reviews, the UK government implemented comprehensive reforms including statutory vetting standards, enhanced dismissal powers for chiefs, and strengthened requirements for officers under investigation for violence against women.
Many will argue that Nigeria has made some strides since the #EndSARS protests. The Police Act 2020 repealed colonial-era legislation and established modern accountability frameworks. The establishment of the Police Reform and Transformation Office (PORTO) and expansion of the Complaint Response Unit represent institutional progress. The Nigeria Police Force received 459 complaints in the first quarter of 2024 alone, with 265 cases resolved, indicating both the scale of the problem and the potential for systematic response.
However, implementation remains Nigeria’s greatest challenge. The gap between policy and practice continues to undermine public trust and economic development. For Nigeria to capitalise on its reform potential, it must adopt a business-minded approach that treats police reform as infrastructure investment rather than mere policy adjustment.
First, Nigeria should leverage technology and data analytics, following successful international models. The establishment of comprehensive databases tracking use-of-force incidents, officer performance, and community outcomes would enable evidence-based decision-making and attract international development funding.
Second, the country must address the economic incentives that perpetuate misconduct. This includes exploring individual insurance policies for officers, as recommended by reform advocates, and ensuring that the costs of misconduct are borne by departments rather than taxpayers.
Third, Nigeria should expand community policing initiatives with measurable performance indicators tied to economic development outcomes. Research demonstrates that effective policing correlates with property values, business investment, and tourism revenue. By quantifying these relationships, Nigeria can build compelling cases for reform funding from both domestic and international sources.
The private sector has a crucial role to play here. Nigerian businesses should demand transparent reporting on police reform progress and consider it a factor in investment decisions. International companies operating in Nigeria should leverage their influence to support accountability mechanisms, following models established in other emerging markets.
Most importantly, Nigeria must institutionalise reform processes to prevent backsliding. The recent commitment by the Ministry of Police Affairs to establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms represents progress, but these systems must be independent, well-funded, and resistant to political interference.
The killing of Kehinde Alade should serve as a catalyst for comprehensive action, not another case study in systemic failure. With proper implementation of reforms already outlined in Nigeria’s roadmap, the country can transform its police force from a source of economic drain into a foundation for sustainable development.
The business case for police reform is clear — the question is whether Nigerian leaders will seize this opportunity or continue paying the mounting costs of inaction. The global community watches as Nigeria stands at this crossroads. The choice between reform and status quo will determine not just the safety of Nigerian citizens, but the country’s economic trajectory for generations to come.
