June 01, (THEWILL) – Reports of police harassment and extortion of the Nigerian citizenry continue to trend on social media almost every other day despite assurances from the authorities of adherence to operational standards, rules of engagement, order room trials and summary dismissals of errant policemen.
The Nigeria police authorities should be embarrassed that increasing room trials and public assurances to cleanse the Force of corrupt officers have had little impact on the attitude and behaviour of policemen, especially those manning our highways, where they frequently subject travellers to harrowing experiences. Thanks to social media and the boldness of victims, many of these disturbing experiences may not even become public knowledge.
A blatant case in point is a viral video showing acts of extortion by police officers along the Benin bypass in Edo State. At the checkpoint, a fully kitted, well-fed policeman, obviously acting on behalf of others, appeared unbothered whether he was being recorded or not as long as his victims met his demand for N5,000 each or nothing. Good to hear that the police authorities have reacted swiftly and clamped down on them.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, “the Nigeria Police Force, in line with its zero-tolerance on extortion and unprofessional conduct, has taken immediate action. The six erring officers, including their supervising officers, a Chief Superintendent of Police were marched in to appear before the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who has condemned their actions as shameful, distasteful and utterly unacceptable.
He further ordered the immediate commencement of disciplinary procedures against all six officers involved.” Sounds familiar.
We are going to hear this kind of statement again and again as a response to similar actions of erring policemen. The reason is not far-fetched. Police extortion and harassment of Nigerians is a culture that is bred and sustained by the system.
Doubtless that disciplinary measures are a core aspect of police administration, we hasten to say that the authorities should shift their attention to more concrete and basic procedures that sustain the odd characters in the ranks.
There is no doubt that poor methods of recruitment, poor remuneration, inadequate accommodation, insufficient training and questionable oversight have all combined to contribute to making the average policeman a terror rather than a friend to the people they ought to be guiding. Taking disciplinary action alone by the authorities can only amount to scratching the problem on the surface. The involvement of the six officers in the Benin bypass scam is indicative of the fact that superior officers, not just junior officers, are part of the corruption. Nonetheless, we have often heard shocking stories by such erring officers as those of the Benin bypass saga that the proceeds of their corrupt acts are used to fuel their vehicle or feed themselves in the absence of late or non-payment of duty allowances!
As the security service that is closer to the people, the Nigeria Police ought to be a shining example of how Nigerians assess the government’s response to their security and safety by their conduct and reputation. This is speaking generally. There are indeed many policemen who are so professional in the discharge of their duties as to make you wonder whether they are from a different country.
Still, the swift response by the authorities to public reports of police misconduct has its place in building trust and bonds with the people. Without this bond, investigation and intelligence gathering may be delayed or linger endlessly and ultimately achieve no purpose in the end.
Moreover, the authorities should sustain public trust by equally making the results of their disciplinary actions public through publication and wide circulation. Even so, we urge the authorities to push for more reforms in the police, while acting on the immediate acts of indiscipline.
