The story from Kogi state that the Police had run amok and attacked Police in people, killed tens and destroyed properties is such a sad story story to tell. The events as narrated by Daily Trust newspaper are very saddening. Click here fo full report
The police are supposed to protect. Vengeance, no matter the provocation is not allowed within our statute books. Sacking a villager because militants from that village have killed a police man is war crime offence. The killers of the policeman or men ought to be arraigned before a competent law. These activities have undermined the reputation and ability of the police to enforce the law since, they arte active law breakers who ought to be in jail.
A few years back the story made the rounds that a young man who had been living abroad for a while had come back home to see his parents. His plane landed late, and having been warned of rogues in the streets of Lagos, he decided to take refuge in a police station till the following morning. He gave his card to the cab driver and asked him to pick him up the following morning. The following morning when the cabbie got there the Police denied the knowledge of any person like that. As the story went, the corpse of the man was later found in the bush, having been dispossessed of all his dollars and world goods by the very people he trusted, who are paid to provide protection and help.
Whether this event actually happened or not is besides the point here. The Nigerian Police needs to do more to earn the trust and confidence of people. People now fear the Police as much as they fear armed robbers. This, indeed, is not helpful to the people of this country. This is an indication of a failed state€¦an image the government has been so afraid of. Of course, if law enforcement agents behave like bandits and unruly rebel elements terrorise and killing the people they should protect, then the image fits.
Nigerians see remember with horror, Ogoni and Odi, where law enforcement agencies invaded, as if they were enemy territories killed scores and raped. Houses and properties were gratuitously burnt down by those paid to, and have sworn to protect life and property. What breach of trust!!!!
And the then Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Victor Malu had the temerity to defend such lawlessness. Then Soldiers visited his home. A detachment of Army Personnel had disappeared. The army invaded the area, rounded up men, some say up to 100 men, and shot. Houses and properties were destroyed.
It has become the norm that soldiers and police go out of their way to destroy properties and kill innocent people whenever any of their members gets into trouble with militants. These acts are not acceptable- and whoever engages in them should not be allowed to go free. No matter what. Communities hardly sit to plan to kidnap police or soldiers. Often times, militants who confront the police or soldiers terrorise members of their communities. Visiting the supposed sins of militants on communities is a CRIMINLA OFFENCE-that deserves arraignment before the International Court of Justice in Hague which tries war criminals. This is especially true and urgent in these Nigerian cases where these acts of gangsterism appear to have official cover and encouragement. Over the years and despite all the loud complaints no one has ever been brought to court by the government.
The Lawless activities of our Soldiers, Police and People in uniform need to be curbed. It must be shown that people who wear the uniform are certainly not above the laws that they are paid to enforce.