Survey Data on (Non)compliance with COVID-19 Lockdown and Policing in Nigeria
Description
Previous studies have established the potency of lockdown in managing public health emergencies such as a pandemic. Hence, the Nigerian government, just like its counterparts across the globe affected by the scourge of COVID-19 pandemic, followed the path of the global community to impose a stringent lockdown as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to respond to and contain the pandemic. This imposition occasioned the deployment of police personnel. Still, unfortunately, the imposition and subsequent enforcement were greeted mainly with stiff resistance and defiance by the public due to insufficient socio-economic materials that could make compliance with the order possible. Also, the enforcement of the lockdown amplified the police illegalities that existed before the lockdown period. For academic discourse and policy practice's sake, this study, therefore, examined the reasons for the violation of the lockdown, the experience of citizens in the hands of the police (police illegalities) and the practical solution to the situation. The data gathered sheds light on grey police-public relations in Nigeria. Also, it can be instrumental in police reform, public administration & policy and the management of emergencies and pandemics. From the insights gathered with a semi-structured interview and analysed with the thematic analysis method, the study observed that economic hardship, unavoidable matters from the citizens’ end and mistrust of authorities fueled non-compliance. Such mistrust amplified misinformation during the pandemic. Although there was a reasonable level of compliance, the pre-existing police illegalities (extortion and bribery) facilitated the cases of non-compliance in Nigeria. Also, hostility ensued between police personnel and citizens during the enforcement of the lockdown. Therefore, this study advised the government and stakeholders on the imperatives of adequate socio-economic preparations, emphasising public trust and the provision of relief materials. Additionally, it suggested to the police authorities reform ideas to better equip, monitor, and manage police resources for effective handling of future pandemics.
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Steps to reproduce
By selecting 90 participants in Ilorin, Nigeria via convenience, purposive and venue-based sampling technique, this data was gathered by a semi-structured interview and analysed by thematic data analysis method. Hence, the data can be reproduced by making proper reference to the data source and associated research.