Thursday, 17 May 2012
Why are the Police Killing Innocent Citizens at Road Blocks? By Abe Ojo, Ph.D.
By Abe Ojo, Ph.D.
Boko Haram has swept off two IGPs and has caused the promotion of AIG Abubakar to the exalted position of acting IGP recently. Consequent upon these (cosmetic) changes in the topmost echelon of the force, the public should have expected some fundamental changes in the approaches and the way that the police perform their duties based on the leadership qualities of these different IGP personalities. To the amazement of many of us, the leadership direction and the fundamental general performances of the police remain static and in fact, actually declining further south to an all time unbecoming of a Police Force!
This write up is not about all the necessary transformations expected of the Nigerian Police Force and the current leadership but specifically concerned and focused on the increasing occurrences of intentional killing of innocent citizens at police check points all across the country.
Not too long ago, a police officer killed someone in Osun State because he did not offer the "traditional bribe" expected automatically from taxi drivers and road transporters and users. Another killing occurred with the LASTMA police, who pulled a bus conductor unto the road and was subsequently, crushed to death by a trailer truck. Of recent concerns the suppressed riot in Onitsha (Anambra State), where a police officer followed, traced a public taxi bus to where the officer finally butchered down the driver of the bus, in public, for not given ordinary twenty naira!!!! In public! In the neck! Shot at close range! Without compassion! Without any feelings! Without recognizing that he, as a police officer is there in the first place, to preserve the law and protect the lives of citizens!
What has gone into the brains of these human beings (or is it animals) in the police force? What type of training do they undergo before adorning them with the "black garment" called police uniform? Are these officers Nigerians who live among Nigerians? Do they have families and have their own families?
Definitely, there is a need for a fundamental shake-up in the rank and file of the Nigeria Police from top to bottom, not just at the top. We need officers who know the true meaning of "to serve and to protect". We need officers who have blood running through their arteries and veins. We need re-orientations of the fundamental philosophies of the Nigerian Police Force. The public image makers of the police must be able to admit publicly without making up stories when their officers commit crime. It is always obvious. So, why is it that the Police PROs always come up with lies such as "accidental discharges" and labeling of victims as armed robbers when the true situation clearly shows that the Nigerian Police Officer erred and have committed a crime? Can we get a leader, an IGP that can fundamentally change the culture and practices of the Nigeria Police Force? Can we get for once, an IGP that can transform the police into a true community police, crime-prevention trained police and officers who are welcomed in the community, willing and ready to protect and to serve? More importantly, we need Police Officers that will stop killing innocent citizens at "wetin you bring for us" road blocks! Can these police officers just change and do something good???
Can the leopard change its spots oh God?
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REACTING IS 'BOKO HARAM'
Submitted by belyus (not verified) on February 12, 2012 - 03:23.
THE PROBLEM WITH US NIGERIANS IS THAT WE ARE TOO BIASED TO THINK AND ADDRESS OUR COMMON PROBLEMS. WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO CONVINCE OUR BROTHERS FROM THE SOUTH AT THIS FORUM TO UNDERSTAND THE FACT THAT BOKO HARAM WERE RADICALIZED BY THE POLICE DUE TO SUCH EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLINGS, ALMOST ALL THE MEMBERS REFUSED TO ACCEPT IT DUE TO SENTIMENT. NOW THAT IT HAS GONE SOUTH, SEE HOW ALL OF YOU ARE PROMISING TO BECOME 'BOKO HARAM'. AS A NORTHERNER, THE APPO-SIX SCENARIO IS STILL VERY FRESH IN MY MINE AS ONE OF THE GREATEST OF ALL INJUSTICES COMMITTED BY THE VERY PEOPLE WHOSE SALARIES WERE PAYED BY THE TAX COLLECTED FROM THEIR VICTIMS. BOKO HARAM WAS AN ARMLESS RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT PRIOR TO THE GRUESOME AND EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLING OF THEIR MEMBERS AND LEADERS. THEIR UNFORTUNATE ACTION IS EXACTLY WHAT ABEL SAMSON, AKARRAOGUN ETC (COMMENTATORS ABOVE) ARE VOWING AS REACTION TO SUCH BRUTALITY. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT WHILE SOUTHERNERS TALK SEVERALLY WITHOUT ACTING, A NORTHERNER ACTS BEFORE HE TALK!
Why Police kill at check points
Submitted by Tony A (not verified) on February 11, 2012 - 01:07.
When you take a functional nonentity,recruit without transparency,arm with a uniform and gun and place him out there without the necessary control mechanisms,this is what you get.
ON BRIBERY, WE ARE ALL QUILTY.
Submitted by Benjani (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 22:56.
It is very unfortunate, those police men at the check-points are collecting the bribes for their big OGAS, the ACP, CP, AIG, DIG, IG. Have you folks forgotten former IG Tafa Balogun?
Before leaving their stations for various check-points, these poor officers are told how much to bring back at the end of their shifts otherwise they are in big trouble. This is a fact!
But the real culprits here are the bribe givers. In their attemps to cut corners illegally, many Nigerians give out briberies. The police found coalition of the willing. Why would a law abiding citizen gives out bribes if he had not broken any law? The are ready to give bribe even if the policeman just cough or say hello. Ignorant masses give bribes.
No giver, no taker.
Why?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 21:39.
Because they can get away with it. If the Policemen at these checkpoints have not been ordered to kill or maim, then they would not be at these roadblocks kiling and pillaging.
If our Lawmakers where really our Representatives they would have brought these practice to a halt. Can the Police show what they have been able to prevent with all these roadblocks?
If the new IG wants to make a name for himself then the first thing he should do will be to remove all these roadblocks, set up a seperate independent body to investigate all deaths to do with policing (in partnership with our Lawmakers). Publish a Code of Conduct for Police Officers whilst dealing with civilians, etc. The list is endless, but he can start from here.
@Akaraogun
Submitted by Rebel (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 15:51.
I fully support u on that one bro.............................sooner or later they will learn to talk some sense into dem selves.
What I feel is wrong, Dr, is
Submitted by Trigger-Happy (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 15:35.
What I feel is wrong, Dr, is the mode of recruitment in the police force. Most often, police is regarded as a job people choose as a last resort when they realise that they can not get any other job. Similarly, the recruitment section hardly go for people of impeccable character. Hence, they usually end up recruiting area boys, yan daba, kaleri and sara-suka as security agents!
Petrol bomb them at their illegal checkpoints and their stations
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 14:54.
We the citizens must start to fight against every injustice done to us by these criminals in uniforms, if they kill one of us we make sure we kill ten of them and burndown every station in the area the killing occure, we dont want their bribe taking checkpoints anymore, if the money they get is not enough they should complain to the govt or resign.
IBB the old FOOL at 70
Submitted by JOHNBULL (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 12:28.
THE EVIL GENIUS AND HIS CHILDREN ,BOKO HARAM WITH THEIR ASSOCIATION ACF ARE ALL DANCING NAKED STUPIDLY THINKING THEY ARE MAKING AN IMPACT. SORRY TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY HAVE MISCALCULATED THEY ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD FOR THEIR PEOPLEIT IS A GREAT PITY BECAUSE THE GOOD MUSLIMS ARE NOT BLOOD SUCKERS WHO WILL SIT DOWN AND PLAN EVIL ANYWAY MAY GOD BLESS THE SULTAN THE GOV OF NIGER STATE ALIU DANGOTE A GOOD HEARTED MAN MR PRESIDENT YOU ARE DOING WELL THOSE WHO KNOW NIGERIA ARE HAPPY WITH U JUST BE POSITIVE IN WORDS AND DEEDS NOTHING NEGATIVE YES YOU ARE NOT A LION BUT YOU ARE THE SON OF THE LION OF JUDAH SO YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL LION BE BOLD AS ONE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO YOU IJN
IBB the old FOOL at 70
Submitted by JOHNBULL (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 12:27.
THE EVIL GENIUS AND HIS CHILDREN ,BOKO HARAM WITH THEIR ASSOCIATION ACF ARE ALL DANCING NAKED STUPIDLY THINKING THEY ARE MAKING AN IMPACT. SORRY TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY HAVE MISCALCULATED THEY ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD FOR THEIR PEOPLEIT IS A GREAT PITY BECAUSE THE GOOD MUSLIMS ARE NOT BLOOD SUCKERS WHO WILL SIT DOWN AND PLAN EVIL ANYWAY MAY GOD BLESS THE SULTAN THE GOV OF NIGER STATE ALIU DANGOTE A GOOD HEARTED MAN MR PRESIDENT YOU ARE DOING WELL THOSE WHO KNOW NIGERIA ARE HAPPY WITH U JUST BE POSITIVE IN WORDS AND DEEDS NOTHING NEGATIVE YES YOU ARE NOT A LION BUT YOU ARE THE SON OF THE LION OF JUDAH SO YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL LION BE BOLD AS ONE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO YOU IJN
IBB the old FOOL at 70
Submitted by JOHNBULL (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 12:26.
THE EVIL GENIUS AND HIS CHILDREN ,BOKO HARAM WITH THEIR ASSOCIATION ACF ARE ALL DANCING NAKED STUPIDLY THINKING THEY ARE MAKING AN IMPACT. SORRY TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY HAVE MISCALCULATED THEY ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD FOR THEIR PEOPLEIT IS A GREAT PITY BECAUSE THE GOOD MUSLIMS ARE NOT BLOOD SUCKERS WHO WILL SIT DOWN AND PLAN EVIL ANYWAY MAY GOD BLESS THE SULTAN THE GOV OF NIGER STATE ALIU DANGOTE A GOOD HEARTED MAN MR PRESIDENT YOU ARE DOING WELL THOSE WHO KNOW NIGERIA ARE HAPPY WITH U JUST BE POSITIVE IN WORDS AND DEEDS NOTHING NEGATIVE YES YOU ARE NOT A LION BUT YOU ARE THE SON OF THE LION OF JUDAH SO YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL LION BE BOLD AS ONE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO YOU IJN
Dr., you spoke well!
Submitted by Ayodeji (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 11:09.
It's not surprising these days when we hear of such dastardly cruel act of the rank & file members of the NPF such as killing innocent citizens over illegal #50 tax collection. I support the motion that the shake up in the NPF shouldn't be at the top alone but mainly at the bottom because it contains mainly of uneducated incompetent nincompoops who doesn't know the meaning of 'TO SERVE & PROTECT WITH INTEGRITY.'
This Leopard can indeed change its spot if & only if a system is put in place to checkmate this disturbing & disgraceful issue that has engulfed the NPF. God Bless Nigeria!
Nice piece prof. I swear to
Submitted by Abel Sampson (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 10:56.
Nice piece prof. I swear to God, any day police kill any of my family member, I will lunch guerilla against them & their family members. I go to their villages burn their entire family.
What is the difference between them & ordinary citizen?
They better change they way they carry out their duties. Nobody tolerate this rubbish anymore in new Nigeria we are heading to.
God bless new Nigeria.
Wrong Medicine!
Submitted by Akaraogun (not verified) on February 10, 2012 - 07:28.
There is nothing wrong with the Nigeria police, it is the public that plenty is wrong with. Fela said it; 'roforofo fight' requires 'gutter style.' The panacea to this rubbish is that anytime a cop shoots an innocent person, either deliberately or through 'accidental discharge,' such policeman should be lynched immediately. If the cop manages to escape, the next policeman on the street should be held responsible and killed immediately! The nonsense will stop and police will actually become your friend!
