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To write anything about the Nigerian Police is almost like spewing out clichés. Except, none of
the clichés will be heartwarming. They are usually gory tales of
killers in uniform. Men and women that were supposed to protect the
Nigerian citizens have become their greatest enemies. Seeing a Nigerian
police officer when you are under any form of duress actually adds to
the fear and distress, because they will add their own unpleasantness
to your already nervous condition. Ask any Nigerian, and he or she has
a mouth full of stories about police trouble.

Even when they
seem to be doing their job, they don’t seem to have your interest at
heart. Till today, I am still wondering the reason behind roadblocks in
our streets other than to extort money from innocent commuters and
harass poor citizens, while the real thieves drive by in luxury cars.
Many have lost their lives due to these road blocks, either been
physically shot or been harassed into preventable accident.

The recent news
coming from Abuja in regards to what is now known as APO Six killing is
disheartening. The Investigative Police Officer, Denise Asawa, in the
killing of six innocent Nigerians five years ago is now confessing to
lying about his testimony in the case. Mr. Asawa, supposedly a trusted
member of the force, says he was compelled to write false statements to
save another accused. This statement makes one wonder, how many false
statements are being pumped out from the force? Not only are some
members of Nigerian Police killers, they have also openly confess to
lying and manipulation of evidence. How discomfortingly frightening.

I hope one day, the government will find it necessary to overhaul a
tattered force, retrain the hunters in uniform to see citizens as human
beings not animals. Until then, the police is not your friend but your
fiend.