Nigeria Police “Farce” and Armed Guards at CAC.
July 1, 2008 by 
Che Oyimnatumba
My musing over the imposition of dress code by CAC on her customers was ruptured by a news item that the Nigeria Police in conjunction with one GSM service provider is organizing a marathon. This marathon is to create police awareness in Nigeria. My mind did a somersault and I ask myself, whether the Police I meet at the toll gates, collecting N20 isn’t enough awareness? On further investigation, it became apparent that the Nigeria Police have lost initiatives on how to extort money from Nigerians, hence this charade announced by AIG in charge of Zone 2 of the Nigeria Police Force. Before We get back to the Police, why are customers of CAC allowing this draconian directive to go unchallenged? CAC can lay down dress code for her staff and not her customers. After all, we are bringing money for them and most of my clients are labourers, whom Nigeria has refused to uplift their suffering. More also CAC does not release jobs as at when do so that I can get paid and have change to buy any of these cheap mass produced Chinese easy to fade “coats” being sold from the booth of lawyer’s tokunbo cars.
In deed the Nigeria Police has achieved a lot in terms of sport in Nigeria. Nigeria’s first Olympic gold was gotten by a Police woman- Chioma Ajunwa. Sunday Bada, is also another Policeman who have hoisted the battered police image on the international medal table. You may add Julius Agahuwa to the list of great sportsmen bequeathed to Nigeria by the Police. The rank and file of policemen in the combat sports are legion. So why this waste of money and time in the name of marathon?
Nigerians are in an unalloyed agreement that the Nigeria Police needs exercise badly. There are a lot of pepper soup belled policemen around. This battered image of the Nigeria Police is what Nigerians want done something about. Most policemen don’t have or wear service boot, rather a good number of them wear bathroom slippers on duty. Check out the one posted to CAC in Zone 5 Wuse Abuja. Apart from this dirty appearance of the Nigeria Police, another area that needs facelift is their barracks. From Shell Camp station in Owerri through Police Training College Ikeja Lagos to Force Head Quarters Area 10 Abuja, the Police formation, is the dirtiest among the security outfits in Nigeria. Nigerians want something done about this.
Another interesting area Nigerians want to see an improved image of the Police, is in their carrying of arms. The careless abandon, with which Nigeria Police brandish AK 47, gives one the feeling of state of war. Even Police officers guarding Mr. Biggs, NNPC mega filling station at Central Area Abuja carry an AK47. Each time I come to CAC, I wonder why should Policemen guarding CAC carry gun and why AK47 at that? AK47, is an assault rifle, with a deadly accuracy. Who wants to rob CAC? The crime committed at CAC is economic fraud and document swapping. Nigeria Police should know that there is a difference in the psychology of a blue collar thief and a highway robber. But carrying AK47 carelessly or in an area where a common Beretta pistol or Colt .23 can demobilize a suspected thief. This careless carrying of assault rifle is a major contributory factor to the death rate at accidental discharge report by the Nigeria Police. In UK and other civilized clime, the Police carry only whistle and baton, leaving assault and sub machine guns for a specially trained unit. In USA you have SWAT while the other team of Policemen carry arms that will demobilize and not kill a suspect, especially where such suspect is not armed with multi-purpose rifle.
But in Nigeria, a korovo who is frustrated with low pay, harassment from children (Policemen in Nigeria breed like rabbit), is armed with instrument of death. Just the other day, the life of a young promising Nigeria was snuffed off in Minna by the Police, who shot indiscriminately into a residential area. Honestly, I fear a similar thing may occur in CAC, if these policemen are not disarmed. There is no document in CAC worth protecting with an AK47 In the heat of TRANSCORP, the file was safely kept away from the public so the public will not know the share structure and Obasanjo’s worth in the fraudulently acquired company. These Policemen should be disarmed before they kill a lawyer and file it as accidental discharge.
IG Okiro should be told that the Marathon started when Phedippides ran from Marathon to Sparta (140 miles) to request for assistance in Athenian’s war against the Persians. Nigerians want to see, the Police running to the rescue of Nigerians attacked by armed robbers and not running away from the cries of Nigeria or claiming that there is no fuel or ammunition to engage the armed robbers. Nigerians want to see the police running after and catching a fleeing thief without firing a shot in a crowded settlement and not this senseless marathon.
Nigerians want to see a marathon trial of Police officers caught extorting money from motorists, especially those at Tipper bus stop on Kubwa-Wuse Asokoro Express road. Nigerians want to see a marathon of arrest and trial of Ehindaro, former IG of Police, who has been roundedly fingered in corrupt practices, especially questionable buying of properties re-looted from Tafa Balogun. Nigerians want a marathon trial of officers for inordinate and excessive use of fire arms. Nigerians want to see a marathon of arrest of DPOs, who have turned Police stations into bail payment bazaar. Nigerians want a marathon of trial of the Minna State Police Command over the police murder of a 12 year old Nigerian. If we see these, then like Eucles, we will run to the high heavens to announce the improved image of Nigeria Police. If the police is desirous of improving their sports achievement, the 19th Mobil Track and Field Championship to select Nigerian athletes for the Beijing Olympics have started today at the National Stadium in Abuja.
| 2.5 |
Well, anytime i hear about the Police I think of a system which have complete control over the protection of life and property of the citizens, But ‘Hunters’ have now found their way into the system and from the way they handle their riffle you know them.
Yes from here just take a walk down the street and observe; I bet you before you count seven policemen with their riffle handy; certainly one Nuzzle is pointing at you. But you have to know that if unfortunately it discharges its content into you it will be addressed as ‘Accidental discharge’ and that might be the end of the case … versus the commissioner of police.
Don’t be timid when it comes to gun safety. If you observe anyone violating any safety precautions, you have an obligation to insist on safer handling practices, such as those i have prescribed below.
Please read this section carefully and follow each of the safety procedures outlined. Develop safe shooting habits, and remember, firearms safety is up to you. Make no mistake about it!
1. Always Keep The Muzzle Pointed In A Safe Direction
2. Firearms Should Be Unloaded When Not In Use
3. Don’t Rely On Your Gun’s “Safety”
4. Be Sure Of Your Target And What’s Beyond It
5. Use Correct Ammunition
6. If Your Gun Fails To Fire, Handle With Care!
7. Always Wear Ear and Eye Protection When Shooting
8. Be Sure The Barrel Is Clear Of Obstructions before shooting
9. Don’t Alter Or Modify Your Gun and have it serviced regularly
10. Learn Your Gun’s Mechanical and Handling Characteristics of the fire arms you are using
This I think is particularly true. You should always read and refer to the instruction manual you received with your gun, or if you have misplaced it, contact the manufacturer for a copy. - that I think should be free.
Having a gun in your possession is a full-time job. You cannot guess; you cannot forget. You must know how to use, handle and store your firearm safely. Do not use any firearm without having a complete understanding of its particular characteristics and safe use.
Shought..