POLICE BRUTALITY AND RULE OF LAW IN NIGERIA Approaching the police station, the first sign that welcomes you is ‘THE POLICE IS YOUR FRIEND’ but really is the police my friend? Is the police your friend? Is the police truly our friend? All this questions come up, but most times the answer is towards the negative. This is due to many cases of brutality by the Nigerian Police. According to the legal dictionary, the term Police brutality refers to the use of unnecessary or excessive force by police officers when handling civilians. The Police are known to enforce law and maintain public order but most a times in Nigeria, the opposite is the case, rather than maintaining public order the police are seen causing chaos based on how people are treated. When Police officers are seen at crime, accident or problem scenes they are seen taking the law into their hand,therefore most people are afraid of inviting or including them in their activities. ...