Crime and Criminal Investigation in Nigeria: A Study of Police Criminal Investigation in Enugu State

Abstract

This study inquired into the activities of the police in crime and criminal investigation with particular focus on the Police Criminal Investigation in Enugu State Police Command. The specific objectives of the study include: (1) an examination of the factors responsible for the high rate of ‘undetected’ and ‘pending investigation’ of criminal cases in Nigeria as well as in Enugu State (2) an investigation of the training skills and strategies adopted by the police officers in criminal investigation (3) an assessment of the effectiveness of such techniques and training (4) an identification of the challenges confronting the police in criminal investigation. A total of 330 respondents were used for the study. Data were collected through the use of questionnaire, oral interviews, as well as from documents and crime statistics. Data generated through questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive techniques such as frequency count and percentage while the data obtained through interviews and documentary sources were content analyzed. The findings revealed that factors such as lack of training, skills, facilities, corruption, disobedience to due process and ethical standard among others account for the high rate of “undetected” and “pending cases” of criminal investigations in Nigeria as well as Enugu State. It also shows that the investigative strategies and techniques adopted by the police are not effective enough in addressing the challenges facing the police criminal investigation department.

Keywords: Crime, Criminal Investigation, Police, Enugu State.