Police Brutality/Extortion.
This is a general issues around the world not only in Nigeria, I always wonder if most personnel are not appropriately trained mentally and psychologically. I've seen videos and short clips where the officers brutally best up "peaceful " protesters, I mean well meaning citizens are been harassed exploited and once you try schooling or resisting the extortion there's a higher chance of such individual been beaten up, in my country they call them "the law" meaning they're are the supreme, so no higher authority totally forgetting that there's "A LAW" that state that the primary aim of any security personnel is to protect the life's and property of the nation.
But I'm sorry to say this that most Nigerian police or security personnel ain't doing such, mind you I said most amd not all because there's still well meaning responsible officers out there, that knows the right of a citizen. So, instead they extort, harass and intimidate, so I ask sometimes whats the benefit?
There have been past event that still live rent free on so many well meaning Nigerians, the October 20th 2020 the lekki toll gate massacre. What a sad memory that can't be easily be wiped out.
I get to understand why indeed the government is finding all means to erase history from the educational curriculum, and I ask why? I've never heard of any developed nation that don't cherish their histories, either bad or good its left for them to learn a lesson from it and get wiser, more advanced and better.
Talking about the so called accidental discharge that has taken lots and lots of life's its so alarming. Most of the police lacks appropriate specialization training on weapons like guns and tear gas.
Few weeks I witness one that almost caused the life of the security personnel by mob, because it was so annoying and disturbing, so this kid was on his way back from school just as he crossed to the other lane, a police officer was chasing a pick pocket theft and he accidentally shot the gun and it hit the young lad walking peacefully home. Its so sad he died at the spot.
First and foremost in a crowded environment like that, I feel there's shouldn't be any engagement of weapon except when its a situation of threat to life of the officer of individual. I believe there's other approach or investigation ro apprehended the criminal.
Now back to the harassment part, I have experience it, thank God for my idemtification card and well meaning passengers on the bus, I would have just been beaten up just for nothing.
What happen was that we we're in the bus park to emback on a journey when someone that called himself an officers approach our bus and demand we take some step bad from our luggages that an information came in that one of the travelers was carrying an illicit substance like hard drugs. Then immediately another official came just casually said he's an NDLEA.
What made us suspicious was they didn't identify themselves properly as an official or officers and there wasn't a name tag or official statement approved by the MANAGEMENT of the park.
Then I quickly said its fine but we all must be close to our luggages and watch them search it, by saying this they angrily said who am I to tell them what to do? Amd I replied so I don't have a right to watch you search my own luggage? This almost made them hit me but every passengers quickly confronted.
Then all of us disagreed because there have been past reports that some dopers come in form of drug enforcement agent and while claiming to search they would plant the substance on the luggages. Making the culprit spend alot of many bailing himself meanwhile he's purely innocent.
They go far as refusing hearings or declining proving yourself, you ain't a drug addict. So many innocent people has been dealt with by this evil acts.
We stood our ground and refuse any of the so called officials to conduct a search on our luggages or better still everyone will be present during the searching so no one will be used as culprits since we'll said we are NOT holding any drug. Not minding that we have indirectly found out they're not real but we must be present during the searching.
Every body now clone government officials to do extort and spoil the names of innocent citizens.
What are your thoughts on this?
Its so sad actually. Everybody is now hungry and any means to extort must be done. God help us all
Well, it's sad that this is what the world is facing. Yes, the world because its beyond this country. Even in the movies you could see these acts being portrayed. When you see it as a movie only, then you'll lose out on the reality, because these are the things that happen.
Security personnel need more orientation and guidance, and a possible watch of their activities and duties because many cross the line. I'll also say that there might be a need to also increase their pay and all that. Many that are deployed out there especially in this part of the world are not properly cared for, those at the top are the ones who benefit much. Not a yardstick for their actions though.
And those who go out impersonating security personnel to carry our all forms of dubious acts need to be traced and arrested, they should face the law. It only adds to the problem on ground.
That's aspect of welfare really eats deep in uniform men, under pay tends to make them switch orientation and begin extort from citizens just to make ends meet, on the other hand governments are giving them deaf ears. This is just the reason I don't like politicians or politics as whole. This for sharing your thoughts @daverick
I hear you. I'm afraid our countries shared the same social maladies.
Police (all branches of military uniforms) abuse and corruption is.one of the worst problemas we have in Venezuela.
The current regime has made sure that no one wearing a uniforme will ever be free of guilt, lest they pay the prices. Most people in uniforme have miserable salaries. Poverty and lack of education are the first causes of their submission to corrupto and brutal powers.
Even though their families suffer the same issues like any other citizen, and even though people in uniform will need of the average citizen (teachers, doctors, streets vendors, drivers, etc.), they abuse them without any consideración.
There might be exceptions to this rule, but those who might refuse to do evil are overwhelmed by the majority and kept in the shadows.
Yeah, I agree with your all your views its so sad and outrageous. Every citizens has right to protest against bad government because its destroying thier future. The government has politicized the uniform men therefore making them hungry, destabilizes and having no morals always intimidating citizens. I just wish for a better world at last. @hlezama thank you so much you've said it all
nice entry
Thanks bro for engaging @emmynice1
Well said bro
Same as me too. I don't let any law enforcement search my bags without me being there. There are several cases of the Nigerian police planting drugs or other illegal materials just to extort citizens.
Well said. Good post 👏🏾
Nice one Boss, is not right for them to search your bag o most times they do have substance in their hands and they'll just put inside.