Agbowa Police Division Of Lagos State, Culture of Corruption And Desperate Cry For Justice

Is the police in Nigeria truly a friend?

There are many common and populist refrains in Nigeria, either trying to buoy up support or mobilise solidarity, but one of the most controversial ones, arguably though is, “The police is your friend”.

And it is more of what the people see their policemen do that what they are expected to do.

At the road checkpoint, police station itself or in fact, any other event where they make their appearance, the display they put up, and the way they relate to the civilians generally tend to say more.

These and more have foisted the atmosphere of cynicism on the average Nigerian towards the police

To them, police are their number one enemy and the most corrupt security agency in the entire world.

And this is a major reason the anti-corruption crusade of the administration of President Buhari has not been effective. If corruption has eroded our value in our society, it is much the case in the police force, trailed possibly by the judiciary. Incidentally, the jobs of the two are related.

One is saddled with the responsibility of enforcing the law and the latter interprets. When both arms are the bastion of corruption, the true dispensation of justice can only be jeopardized.
And lawlessness and anarchy can only become the order of the day.

This is a trying time for all of us and we should only strive and lend a helping hand to one another.

At the background of this moral is the raging pandemic – coronavirus that is decimating the global population.

To us in the part of the globe, we should be alive to the sacrifices that must be made; we must wear our garments of humanity, be united in a formidable human spirit as we are witnessing it happen in the developed world.
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In New York, it was reported that more than 1400 police officers have been infected with coronavirus with some mortalities. Yet they still report to work every day to protect the lives and property of the citizens.

It must, however, be pointed out that, here, not all the men in uniform are corrupt. There are individuals of impeccable character in the   Nigeria police force. They are upright, responsible and compassionate police officers. At least, I can vouch for the two gentlemen at the affairs of the police force in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, the Lagos State Commissioner For Police and Tunji Disu, the RRS Commander.
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It is painful however when the noble ideals of these upright ones are dented by the overzealousness of some bad eggs within the fold, as depicted in this video: a woman, apparently in an emotional pain described her ordeal in the hands of a police officer, specifically the DTO attached to Agbowa police station.

According to her, the depletion of her current supply of foodstuffs had necessitated the need to restock and, she drives out to take some money from the ATM machine.

Accessing an ATM machine has always been a major problem given the total number of users in Nigeria.

Even where they are available, a statement such as “unable to dispense” contact “issuer bank” are common phenomena. In fact, most people say special prayers before inserting their cards because in some cases these cards don’t get to come out.

This Lady set out on a simple trip that ended up to be a nightmarish experience in the hands of the men in uniform.

She and others were accosted by the police inquiring the reason for being in violation of the lockdown order.

They offered their explanation They were even directed to a nearby shop where POS services are rendered.

Who owns the POS business and what relationship if any do they have with the police?

Why did the police not arrest the operators of the POS centre?

Is there any collusion between the police and the operators of the POS?

Unregulated POS services have actually been soaring up virtually in every corner of the city apparently to shore up the inadequacies of the approved ATM machines from the financial institutions.

She said they were given the sum of 10000 naira, just what the police needed.

They went back into their car only to be ordered to drive to Agbowa police station which was the beginning of her nightmare.

The police station according to her was a replica of a parking lot. There was a line-up of cars apparently of those in violations of the lockdown order. It was a bonanza for the police officers of Agbowa police station, an opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of the violators.

The lady in her defence and justification for going out in contravention of the lockout made reference to an announcement by the Coordinator of the Presidential Task-Force

Here is the message:

*Federal Government through the National Co-ordinator of the Presidential task force on COVID-19, Mr Aliyu Sani said*

“All markets selling food and groceries shall be allowed to open to customers between the hour of 10 am and 2 pm”

“While supermarkets and food stores are to open at 10 am-4 pm”

From all indication, the lady was still operating within the confines of the law.

Even if the lady broke the law, did something unjust or dishonest, were these justifications for the police to behave in a similar way as alleged by the lady, turning the police station into another mini treasury department?

This reminds me of a story out of Russia when a home invasion by a burglar ended up to be one-week marathon sex.

The owner of the house, a former Taekwondo Champion, ardent weightlifter overpowered the burglar and for one week fed him with a potent dosage of Viagra and engaged him in serious marathon sex for a week.

Upon release, after satisfying the sexual urge of the abductor, he went straight to the police stations to lodge a complaint.

Both were charged to court, one for kidnapping and rape and the other one for burglary. Two wrongs don’t make a right, the police said.

All the issues raised in this video are allegations that call for an investigation.

We are calling on the Honorable Commissioner of Police, the RRS Command to look into this. Our Royal Fathers in this division are not left out in the process of getting justice for the lady in the video. Let there be justice.