By Akeem Alao
That police are our friends is a good example to use when teaching some literary terms to secondary schoolchildren.
That expression alone can be used as a perfect example of two figures of speech–metaphor and irony.
It is ironic because it doesn’t represent the true identity of our police as cases of police brutality are becoming unbearably unbecoming. That “police are your friends” is as good as an irony.
The expression is also metaphorical because it seems to be a consolation to deodorize their brutality. It appears the authorities are acknowledging this brutality, thereby appealing to people’s emotions to remain calm. Just manage them and accept them as your “friend”. That’s what it means, literally.
With the not-too-long massive demonstration and fulmination trail police brutality — #Endsar–in this country, no one ever expects unprofessional and unethical conduct such as the gruesome killings of innocent Nigerians recorded in the Ajah area of Lagos State.
On December 17, 2022, the Lagos Police Command confirmed the reckless killing and “unfortunate death” of one Gafaru Buraimoh of Happy Land Estate, Ajah.
The police stated that “The officer behind the shooting, an Inspector of Police, was immediately disarmed and has been detained, as the full-scale investigation has commenced.”
As if the police officers in that region are trained in brutality, it was reported that on December 25, 2022, a bullet shot by a trigger-happy officer hit an innocent lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem.
The precious life of the Lagos-based lawyer was truncated. The family and children have been plunged into eternal sorrow.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle.
Business Day reported that “Police misconduct is not just an old problem but remains an issue of strong public concern as well.”
The report revealed that “brutality and other forms of misconduct are caused by poor welfare package as well as inadequate training.”
As a result of this, illegal activities are said to be common among the police. This is a slap on the police authorities and the country.
While condemning the killing of Lawyer Omobolanle, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, called for a reform in the country’s police force.
“The shooting of Bolanle Raheem by a police officer is heartbreaking and stands condemned. This latest shooting calls to attention the urgent need for Police reforms that will sanitise the Force and bring it in line with best policing practices” Akitu wrote via his Facebook wall
“I call on the police authorities and the Justice system to expedite action on the matter, as justice delayed is justice denied. This will serve as a deterrent to the incidents of irresponsible shooting of innocent citizens by law enforcement agents. I express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and the Nigeria Bar Association, in particular its Lagos chapter. May her soul rest in peace,” he added.
The reputation of the Nigerian police has suffered a setback.
The authorities should make a concerted effort to resist the repetition of the damaging 2017 abysmal ranking of the Nigeria Police Force by the World Internal Security and Police Index, WISPI.
The Nigeria Police Force, according to the WISPI assessment, was ranked 127th out of 127 countries in the world, claiming that NPF is the worst of the worst.
Indiscriminate killings and incessant brutality of the citizens could trigger another fierce fulmination like the #Endsar protest.
The atmosphere is tense and scary. Nigerians are becoming more paranoid at the sight of police officers. But, we can’t continue like this. We are calling on authorities to curb this gradual extermination of the citizenry.
Akeem Alao is a freelance journalist and language instructor.
This is quite unfortunate! One cannot but wonder what part of the training in the so-called police colleges handles police brutality and accidental discharge resulting in untimely deaths of armless and defenseless citizens like these cases! Thieves and bandits easily overpowered the police officers in most cases and the authority in charge of the police never thought about it! Yet, we have reported cases of these avoidable deaths coming from emotional-intelligence deficient policemen! For how long will our underdevelopment as a nation continue to reflect in poor policing of our society? Many Nigerians are reluctant to report cases to the police station. If a referendum is used, it’s most likely that majority of Nigerians will opt for a scrap of the police to be replaced by the army if possible! It’s that bad! May God Almighty save this country. Male gun-trotting, females jump into cars for extortion. Police check points now serve as spots to get lower denominations of the currency by drivers! They cover up lapses with irritating excuses when they are disarmed or overpowered by criminal elements in the society. I doubt if the society won’t become lawless and set to anarchy as it’s going. Endsars is yet to be healed up with time, more of what led to it are happening every day! Quite disturbing!