By Daniel Bulusson, Esq.

“After 40 years with the United Nations, I have learned that healthy democratic societies are based on three pillars: peace and SECURITY, the rule of law and RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS” Kofi Anan former Secretary General of the United Nations. {Emphasis mine}

There is a saying that goes, “a friend in need, is a friend in deed”, going by this adage and considering the manner in which our police force deals with Nigerians on a daily basis in this country, can we really say that the Nigerian Police is our friend? When to them “a friend in need, is a friend to suck high and dry using the barrel of the gun”.

Section (4) of the Police Act, clearly outlines he duties of a police officer as follows;

(a) Prevention and detection of crime (b) Apprehension of offenders (c) The preservation of law and order (d) The protection of life and property, & (e) The DUE enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged.The law in its wisdom went further to state the standard of conduct as well as attributes meant to be inherent in a police officer, which, ‘If’ strictly followed would make Nigeria a better place to live in. Take for example Section (340) Nigeria Police Regulations that says;

A police officer is required to develop the attributes of Efficiency and thoroughness, meticulous attention to details in the performance of his/her duties. Courtesy, forbearance and helpfulness in his/her dealings with members of the public. Integrity, in refusing to allow religious, racial, political or personal feelings, or other considerations to influence him in the execution of his/her duties. Impartiality in the avoidance of feelings of vindictiveness or the showing of vindictiveness towards offenders. Strict truthfulness in his/her handling of investigations and in the giving of evidence.

From the above, a keen and observant reader would clearly see that it is the intent of the law of the land, that not only is a police officer charged with the protection of lives and properties, but also, that such duties should be performed in a very courteous and mannerly way, these provisions of the law portray a picture of a police that can be trusted 100% by its citizenry to call a friend, this however, is not the case in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Police as it is play an important role in ensuring that Nigeria maintains a healthy democracy, and to effectively perform these functions, police officers are armed with rifles to protect themselves and prevent the commission of any crime, but like many antecedents in Nigeria, the reverse is the case. Nigerian Police officers often abuse the power imposed on them and use their assault rifles (AK 47) to intimidate the same citizens they swore an oath to protect, which begs the question, is police really your friend?

No one is saying that the Nigerian Police should not perform its function because we need them for a sane society, it is the professionalism, and discipline lacking in the performance of their duty that is worrisome, and the earlier police officers have respect for human rights the better for this country. Imagine on 20th October, 2021, a police officer on live television was harassing a reporter of Arise Tv, because a drone was flown to cover the #EndSars protest, it is only in Nigeria that a policeman would harass a journalist covering a protest that is about police brutality in the first place?

It is important to note before going further that there are few good police officers in the police force who work with integrity, honesty and respect for human right for the good of the force, the problem be say, the bad eggs far outweigh the good eggs and one rotten egg can spoil a whole crate of eggs.

To my mind, and I want to believe I speak for many Nigerians when I say, The Nigerian Police Force can only be our friend when there’s a complete over hauling and re-orientation of the Nigerian Police Force, meaning, a police officer should be sound enough to be able to read and write without difficulty or if not good enough, at least he/she should be able to understand the tenets and etiquettes guiding his profession, and the consequences that where he defaults.

May God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!