One of the most essential purposes of any government is its ability to protect lives and properties. Unfortunately, successive Nigerian governments, be it The People’s Democratic Party or the ruling All Progressives Congress, have failed woefully in this regard. It is quite saddening that the rate of killings, crime and proliferation of arms has spiralled beyond imaginable level and if nothing is done about it, we might be drifting into a state of ‘Somalianization’, a brutish and lawless state.
It was a sad day on April 5th 2018, in Offa, Kwara state when about 50 armed robbers visited 5 commercial banks storming their doors with grenades and killing police and security men in sight. According to some eyewitnesses over 40 persons were killed and lots more injured. While the police claim 9 policemen and 17 civilians lost their lives, vigilante groups and first responders put the figures at a staggering 50 deaths at last count! One thing is certain, if we go by these figures, this incident could as well be the deadliest Bank Robbery in Nigeria. The audacity of their mission which was well defined and akin to the devil’s three fold ministry (to steal, kill, and destroy,) leaves one to pause and ponder if we still have an effective Police Institution.
From eyewitness accounts, these dare devils first paid a courtesy visit to the Police station which share same streets with the banks. Armed with grenades and other sophisticated weapons, they overpowered and killed 9 policemen. Little wonder, when they faced the banks, they patiently spent over two hours, leaving trail of “sorrow, tears and blood- their regular trademark”.
This incident is not a ‘one of’ occurrence. It keeps occurring in similar fashion in semi urban and urban areas. But, in our usual style, in a week, or maximum two, we roll over to another event like nothing happened. Our attitude and reaction towards events like this is totally appalling. Instead of holding our government responsible and accountable, our first reaction to these incidents is first of all predicated on the place of crime, ethnicity of victims involved, and religious affiliations. What we do not take cognizance of is that, crime knows no language, religion, ethnicity, neither does it share primordial sentiments.
That our armed forces and the Police force as an institution is ill equipped and over stretched to fight crime is no longer news. A 2006 report cited the UN recommending about 300 police officers to every 100,000 persons. According to figures published by INTERPOL − the International Police − for 2012, Nigeria had about 187 policemen for every 100,000 persons. Malaysia had 320 for every 100,000 persons, Bahamas 793, France 340, Russia 515, Singapore 713 and Turkey 524. It is further estimated that out of 370,000 personnel of Nigerian police force, over a 100,000 are posted to protect VIPs, politicians and organisations. Therefore, the roughly 200 million Nigerian populations are left with a paltry 200,000 to protect her. Little wonder, when faced with the daunting task of fighting crime they are left with the choice of either commit ‘Harakiri’ (suicide against sophisticated weapons of criminals) or run away and live to fight to fight another day. Afterall, even ‘Jack Bauer beats retreat when fighting crime abi?
It is quite easy and cozy to attack policemen as trigger happy, extortionist, partners in crime, and good for nothing lot whose paramount daily purpose is ‘beer and pepper soup’. After all, recent study shows that the Nigerian police is arguably the worst in the world. Trying to defend the Nigerian police is like whipping a dead horse and expecting it to wake up. But objectively, if you really want to know why our police is nothing to write home about, try visit their barracks, or training colleges, and you’ll realize why majority behave badly and we the citizens are at the receiving end of their mental exhaustion and aggression.
The Nigerian police force must as a matter of urgency be reorganised to meet modern day international best practise in order to curb crime. The need for funding and equipping the police with modern gadgets and increase in personnel cannot be overemphasized. We may rate our security institutions low, but have we asked ourselves how an average American policeman would fare if he’s in Nigeria? They won’t be able to cope! Motivation and morale is the key. Imagine robbers who came with grenades and other ammunitions, armed to the teeth, how did we expect them to fight back with their out-dated guns and vest-less outfit?
We must put a halt to these dastardly, evil and devious acts. The Federal government must play its role to protect her citizens as enshrined in the constitution, as one of its primary responsibilities. If we do not banish insecurity from Nigeria, insecurity will be our doom.
By Greenvolution
