My Encounter With Nigeria Police | By Sunday Saanu

A friend  invited me to Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye for a consultancy job. I didn’t want to go following persistent reports of kidnap along that axis. But after vigorous prayers and recitation of Psalm 91, I decided to honour the invitation which expectedly would bring home some bacons.

No sooner I got to the seemingly lonely Ijebu Ode road, with some speed, aimed at crushing anyone attempting to kidnap me, than I ran into a roadblock mounted by the police. Sensing danger with my speed, four of them jumped into the road, menacingly wielding their guns, sticks and cudgels!

Dazed by their determination to stop me at all costs, I was left with no option but to stop. “Can I see your driving licence?” One of them asked. I became pretentiously friendly for the fear of accidental discharge! I quickly decided to speak pure English with some measure of affectations, at least to scare them. They were somewhat rattled. But the money they were targeting would not allow them to back down.

Unfortunately for me, I had left my driving licence in the second car! “You see, with all your grammar, you no get license ” another one quipped. “Take him to station”, one of them in the opposite side shouted. Much latter, a superior officer who seemed more educated and enlightened stepped in. He appeared more reasonable. After a few minutes of interaction, he took an instant liking for me, saying “I like you because you speak impeccable English”.

“But then, it is not English that will satisfy our hunger!”, he confessed. Hear him, “my brother, those of you working where your salaries are paid regularly should thank God. Police salary is poor and unpaid timely. We buy uniforms for ourselves. We risk our lives for you people. Do we need to tell you all our problems before you assist us? Give them Five Thousand Naira and go your way”.

After much negotiation , I gave them One Thousand Naira and left. Dotun who was with me wanted to be recording and taking pictures, I cautioned him because I hate accidental discharge. I hope now that Buhari government has decided to increase police’s salaries, things will be better.

Indeed, police welfare deserves special attention from the government for the safety of the citizenry.

A poorly remunerated policeman is dangerous to the society. To reduce accidental discharge, occasioned by hunger and anger therefore, let government pay attention to the living standards of the police. A situation in which we oscillate between the fear of police and kidnappers is undesirable.