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They Need Our Prayer and Protection By Hakeem Babalola
Those men and women who suppose to belong to the noble class by virtue of their profession are being turned rogue by the same authorities that should bring the best out of them. The people, as well as the government, have gradually killed the morale in those that should be our protectors. Deliberate or sheer ignorance, Nigerian society has helped brought down the institution created for human peaceful existence.
The police force – in its absolute form – is one of the best jobs in par with other service related professions like efficient doctor, genuine politician and dedicated teacher.
In normal circumstances it is the government’s duty to make sure the noble profession of the police force is never in grave jeopardy. It is also important, and especially the law abiding citizens, to give due respect to men and women in uniform. I have observed that Nigerians always belittle their police officers, yet they want the best out of them. There have been cases when their salaries were not paid. Even some of them are reported to fund their own uniforms. This is an insult on the institution responsible for protecting people and property.
To my surprise, we have failed to realise that a police officer is first and foremost a Nigerian. Her behaviour probably mirrors our society. She collects bribes, kills indiscriminately, a tool for election malpractices, she’s dishonest and wants to live above her wages. We should bear it in mind that a police officer goes to the same market as the rest of us. She has children and other responsibility society imposed on her. It is unfair to expect extra ordinary behaviour from our police. I mean if a politician swindled the railway company, or a President General swindled you and I out of that money, what stops a police officer from swindling motorists a twenty-naira note?
Also, if an incumbent General uses his office to generate fund for private affairs such as the controversial library, what stops a police officer from using “own office” from generating similar “fund” for private affairs?
Again, if the commander-in-chief appears not ashamed of heading a government that gives little priority to the police force, why should young Nigerians, who joined the force for the sole purpose of surviving think of service! One needs to witness the kind of training recruits have to undergo. They are not being trained as friends of the society. In their eyes civilians are criminals. A recruit who was not taught civility could not be expected to display such character after training.
Perhaps Nigerians have forgotten that a hungry person is an angry person. Our police officers, in my view, could bear the disgrace because it is the last resort to quench their hunger. No matter the criticism, our fellow citizens in uniform would not stop collecting bribe unless they are properly cared for. For it seems there is no alternative to their survival other than shamelessly extort and harass those they suppose to protect.
Another option would be to engage in full time armed robbery. It is my assurance that a haggard looking police officer will always find any means to be relevant to his or her family. Is it logical to give them guns when their stomachs start to growl with hunger? Therefore a genuine critical look is needed into an institution known for obeying last order yet disobeying the order to shun corruption and extortion. There must be a way to get rid of animal instinct that makes a law enforcement officer kills a fellow human being with inordinate cruelty. Because of #20! Something is critically wrong if a police corporal is so obsessed as to demand bribe from his own boss, Mr. Udom Ekpoudom, delta state Commissioner of Police.
Wait a minute, is there not something called brown envelope among the so-called watchdog of the society? Can you please tell me the difference between that euphemism and the one common among the press? Isn’t it dangerous – perhaps very dangerous – if a leader does not lead by example? Or who among us would cast the proverbial first stone!
But I hesitate to blame anyone because low wages is a temptation to negative thoughts. How do we expect a police officer or a journalist with a family, who is paid #20,000 or less as monthly wages to live in a society, where there is continuous rise in fuel price! In a society that worships money and motor cars! I think the evil spirit that commands our so-called politicians to dip their pilfering fingers in our money is also responsible for our police officers’ unpleasant and unsophisticated behaviour. As stinking as it is, the police are part of what is wrong with a people that do not know their destination – yet.
Furthermore we should know that a driver who does not have proper documents would definitely give bribe, which of course goes into the officers’ pockets. However, if they are adequately cared for, there would be less temptation, and they would have confidence turning down such egunje. A parking or traffic fine paid by the offenders will then go to the government’s account.
A police officer, the one we cursed and abused yesterday, is invariably the one we run to, whenever trouble comes. Am I right? I think it’s only sheer naivety that would make any Nigerian – educated or illiterate – to expect manner from heaven concerning our friends in uniform. Interestingly, the same critics would eventually do the same if they joined the police force. Egunje is contagious!
Pardon me, for it seems I am defending or justifying the amorality of our law enforcement officers. But it is not my intention rather the facts must be stated. Tell me, can a society overlook the roles of the police? They are to protect our lives and properties; to maintain law and order; to apprehend and prosecute criminals etc. Each time a police officer walks the street, his or her life is at risk, yet we treat them with utter contempt.
Although we can argue that no circumstances should force a law enforcement officer from deviating from primary duties, but as I said earlier, hunger is not a friend of human beings. It is only those whose stomachs are full that can think rationally. By the way, many of our amoral politicians are yet to convince us that a full stomach is a metaphor for rational thinking.
I believe there should be greater understanding between the public and the police. If we understand them, we would be able to treat them with respect and sympathy. When these are returned, the result is that the differences that cause friction will be solved or at least tolerated. Then we would have a friendly police force with “Service, Friendship and Dignity” as its motto.
The solution comes back to the federal government, which is responsible for the entire police force. For our police officers to perform well, they need to see themselves as worthy fellow citizens. Their wages should be above average with benefits. Give them adequate training as well as sophisticated weapons to combat the ever-improving men and women of the underworld. Stop recruiting just anyone.
Reading a report credited to Mr. Sunday Ehindero, acting Inspector General of Police, that “we are recruiting criminals” makes my spine develop a slight curve. Although Mr. Ehindero said he has since stopped recruitment immediately he detected the mistake, how many of such criminals have managed to reach the top position?
Moreover, the usual six months training should be extended to eighteen months during which they should learn liberal Arts. Education in history, literature, science and appreciation of the arts will open the possibility for them to live more reflectively and knowledgeably. The problem here is that our commander-in chief does not see how arts can benefit our society, as when he scolded those pursuing mass communication and sociology.
However, if the government is not ready to assist them, then the public should. Will it be unreasonable if I suggest that each association should donate generously for their upkeep every three months irrespective of previous brutality we might have suffered from them. Nigerians should see this gesture as a new beginning and recognition of police roles as inevitable in the society.
Nigerians should allow its police officers to feel proud. Let us stop looking at them as frustrated men and women in our midst. They are not our enemy but emblem of Nigerian system. They are important to the development of any nation. Help the police in order to help you.
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