By Samuel Ajayi
Why should I be scared to dress the way I want? Why should I be scared of going out and not being carted away like stolen goods ending up in a cell because I chose to live a luxurious life?
It’s of no news why the police was founded, “to prevent and detect crime while maintaining public order” but at the exit of the Police Academy, they dumped all that was taught and put on a new coat of what it means to be a Nigerian Police which are Coats of Bribery, Extortion and so on.
In Nigeria, you’re labelled a criminal for dressing the way you want, you could be sent behind bars for using your legs to walk, why not your hand? LOL – According to the Police Officers, owning a Laptop or an expensive gadget automatically means you are an Internet Fraudster AKA “YAHOO YAHOO”.
According to one of the duties of Nigeria police is to disrupt public peace in disguise of “maintaining public order”. There have been several reports, allegation levied against the Nigeria Police Force whereby Human Rights are trampled upon or get engaged in activities that aren’t included in their constitutional duties. Do they even know it? LOL, maybe they forgot.
According to a report by PREMIUM TIMES on the 7th of October 2022, Six Policemen were summoned for the extortion of the sum of N100,000. The victim let out a cry on Twitter to explain his plight which was taking up by Lagos State Police.
In another report, On November 1st a Twitter user identified as Patrick Casey took to the micro-blogging app to share his ordeal with the Police, While heading home from a concert, he was stopped and searched since no incriminating was found on him, and they extorted him of N150,000 for looking like a yahoo boy.
A few months ago, while transiting from Osun to Ibadan, I was stopped at a Police checkpoint, told to ransack my bag which consists of my clothes and laptop, did as I was told since i have no incriminating stuffs on me and boom was instructed to provide the receipt of my laptop which is in Ibadan or else it will be detained. Why? After several hours and lots of back and forth, I was released.
Accusing the innocent while the guilty roam freely is only one of the many reports that have been levelled against the Nigeria Police.
Why do we have to commit our lives into the hand of the devourer? Who should we blame, the government or the system?
The government created Nigerian Police in 1930 to provide, security for Nigerians and to curb crimes.
Everyone criticizes those in power and when in charge are found guilty of what they preach against.
This isn’t about the system, it’s an avenue we seek to fuel our selfish desire while exploiting others.
Well done!