National Police Day: Lives, Legacy, and Livelihood
Heroes don’t leap tall buildings or stop bullets with an outstretched hand. They bleed. They bruise...
In the words of Jodi Picoult lies a powerful truth: heroism isn’t always cinematic. More often, it is carried quietly on weary shoulders, behind tired eyes, and beneath a badge.
In recognition of this silent, steadfast sacrifice, the Federal Government of Nigeria has formally institutionalised April 7 as National Police Day—a day to honour fallen heroes of the force and celebrate the dedication of its serving personnel. The declaration was made on April 7, during the maiden edition of the National Police Day celebrations, which culminated week-long activities to mark the 2025 Police Week at Eagle Square in Abuja.
The new observance serves as a moment to highlight the officers' invaluable service and to honour the officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
The press release from the State House Abuja reads “We are resolute in our commitment to police welfare and comprehensive reform. To that end, let me assure you that the Federal Government of Nigeria will institutionalise 7th April as an annual celebration of National Police Day, cementing its place in our national calendar and demonstrating our enduring appreciation for the Nigeria Police Force.”
Beyond commemoration, it also presents an opportunity for the nation to reflect on the state of its police force especially in terms of welfare, morale, and operational effectiveness.
The Lives
Over the past eight years, 2,047 officers of the Nigeria Police Force have lost their lives in the line of duty, victims of violence and conflict, with the deadliest toll recorded in 2021.
These fallen heroes represent the ultimate price Nigeria has paid in its ongoing quest for peace and security. Behind every lost badge are the silent tears of widows, the unanswered questions of children, and the enduring grief of families solemn witnesses to a sacrifice that must never fade from national memory.
Although reforms are being implemented to improve the welfare and working conditions of police personnel, equal urgency must be placed on the preservation of their legacies.
It must be ensured that, as officers continue to serve, the institution they represent remains steadfast in its core mandate: the protection of Nigerian lives and the maintenance of peace and order.
It is essential that the police do not become the very force of oppression they were established to confront, with reports of police brutality and extrajudicial killings that continue to shape public perception about them.
According to an Afrobarometer survey conducted in 2019, more than half of the 1,000 Nigerians surveyed reported that police brutality and extrajudicial killings were widespread across the country.
The Legacy
Despite the government’s accolades celebrating the police for their service and sacrifice, many Nigerians see these praises as disconnected from reality. This public sentiment aligns with data from the 2023 World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI), which ranked the Nigerian Police Force among the lowest-performing globally.
The WISPI assessed the performance of police forces across several key indicators. These included the capacity to address present and emerging internal security threats, operational efficiency, rates of under-reporting and bribery, and the strength of institutional processes. It also evaluated legitimacy, with a focus on due process, incidences of corruption for private gain, and levels of public confidence in the police. Broader safety metrics such as homicide rates, violent crime, and overall public security were also taken into account.
Nigeria ranks 122nd out of 125 countries on the 2023 WISPI rankings, earning a score of just 0.27, with a below-average performance on all parameters.
This ranking reflects persistent challenges in operational effectiveness, institutional trust, and public accountability within Nigeria’s policing system.
Nigeria’s poor performance on the global stage is mirrored at the continental level, where the police force scores below average across all parameters assessed by the WISPI.
Within Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria ranks 31st out of 33 countries, with a score of 0.27, significantly trailing the regional average of 0.37. This places the Nigerian Police Force among the weakest performers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Further compounding the issues with the Nigerian Police Force is a shortage of personnel. According to the World Internal Security and Police report, Nigeria has only 120 police officers per 100,000 citizens, equivalent to one officer for every 833 people falling far short of the United Nations' recommended ratio of one officer per 400 people.
The Livelihood
The welfare of Nigerian police officers has long been a pressing issue and was notably one of the five core demands made by #EndSARS protesters during the 2020 demonstrations.
Concerns around police welfare extend far beyond salaries. They include access to affordable and decent housing, quality healthcare, proper uniforms and operational equipment, timely promotions, and a work environment that supports both morale and productivity.
Yet, the situation remains dire for many in the force, even after death. Research shows that families of fallen officers often face severe financial hardship due to delayed or unpaid entitlements, such as survivor pensions and insurance benefits. These challenges reflect deeper, systemic gaps in welfare provisions gaps that many officers reportedly struggle with during active service.
The New Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS) further highlights this reality. Officers from entry-level ranks including Recruits, Police Constables I and II, Corporals, Sergeants, Sergeant Majors, and Inspectors of Police II (levels 1 to 8) earn below the minimum monthly living income threshold of N138,857.
Based on the World Bank income classification, Nigeria falls within the lower-middle-income category, where the average annual living wage ranges between $1,046 and $4,095, equivalent to a range between a minimum income of N138,857 to a maximum income of N543,318 per month at the current exchange rate of $1 = N1,593.
Over the years, there have been incremental efforts to improve the welfare and benefits of the Nigerian police force.
In February 2025, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, presented insurance benefit cheques to the next of kin of 706 fallen officers, a move aimed at clearing a longstanding backlog of unsettled insurance claims dating from 2010 to 2023.
This gesture signalled a shift toward institutional accountability. Just two months later, in April, a National Police Day was officially announced. While largely symbolic, the move reinforced the government’s intent to recognise the sacrifices of officers and to cultivate a culture of support, remembrance, and reform within the force.
We hope that the celebration of National Police Day not only honors the service and sacrifice of our officers but also builds a lasting legacy rooted in honour and improved perception of the people they are sworn to protect.
Thanks for reading this Data Dive. It was written by Lucy Okonkwo and Funmilayo Babatunde, and edited by Adijat Kareem.
If you've read this far, now take 2 seconds to share: