When Will Nigerians Appreciate The Nigeria Police Force?, by Adewole Kehinde

Violent Protest in the United Kingdom (‘saner clime’)

“I guarantee, you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online. Running away themselves, this is not a protest, this is an organised violent thuggery.” –Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister

Violent Protest in Nigeria

“Fellow Nigerians, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening to and addressing the concerns of our citizens…”

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu

The Nigeria Police Force is the principal law enforcement and the lead security agency in Nigeria. Designated by the 1999 constitution as the national police of Nigeria with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country,

A retired senior police officer had this car sticker that read, ‘If you think the police are not your friends, when next you are in trouble, call an armed robber.’.

The message encapsulates our ambivalent feelings towards the police. Even when we criticise their ineptitude and corruption, we go to them first when our homes are in danger or when something or someone else generally threatens our sense of security.

The police, whether they are good or evil, provide us with a sense of security and well-being whether they are at banks, airports, or the streets.

I recall that a police officer was murdered while some were also injured, and many stations were razed by hoodlums who disguised as protesters on Thursday during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest.

I am shocked that no CSOs/NGOs, including some so-called elder statemen, condemned the killing of these police personnel and arsons of many police stations.

However, I understand that some of the individuals alleging that police use live bullets on protesters are looking for asylum in Europe, hence the strong propaganda in the media. Some were even tutored to provoke the security personnel to misbehave and use that as an excuse.

Despite the provocation, the Nigeria Police personnel maintained professionalism and used tear gas, a non-lethal chemical weapon that is used for crowd control, riot control, and personal self-defence.

I am not surprised at the Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, condemnation of the attacks on #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters and journalists by security agencies.

The poet criticised the use of live bullets and tear gas by the Nigeria Police Force to manage civic protests, saying that such actions would lead to violence.

I am challenging the poet to send the videos of the use of live bullets to the President for forensic examinations.

Gone are the days of fabricating fictional scenarios to uphold evil for financial gain.

There is no doubt that what took place from August 1st to 3rd in major cities in Nigeria was mass uprising and looting and not protests.

The so-called leaders of the protests were not around to lead the rallies despite the initial warnings of the police, noting that hoodlums took over the demonstrations.

The majority of them were outside the country soliciting funds for the failed protests, while others were in the comfort of their houses to watch the senseless uprising and looting.

Since this protest began, several people have lost their lives in Northern Nigeria, and there is no single evidence that the protest organisers went to visit their families or acknowledged them.

The organisers don’t care about humanity like they do for their grants and perpetually chaotic agenda.

They are rather using their deaths as a means to raise funds that will eventually be embezzled like they did during the #EndSARS protest.

I sometimes wish the children of those supporting the senseless protesters looting and causing wanton destructions were police personnel; maybe they will understand better than what those touts do to police personnel, as we have seen some even struggling to collect arms and ammunition from security agencies.

The Nigeria Police Force needs to be transformed into a contemporary, responsible organization that reflects the goals and ideals of the country. This can only be accomplished when our so-called activists, NGOs, and CSOs work together with the Nigeria police.

Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846. Email: kennyadewole@gmail.com