Saturday Southerner – Political Briefs

By Emeka Nwokocha

It is disheartening to note that in the fledgling Nigerian democratic governance system, any individua or institution that frowns at government’s skewed policies are often branded as enemies of the state, while the coterie of lackeys who mill around the corridors of power and trumpet the phoney achievements of the government are applauded, embraced and awarded juicy appointments to sustain their loyalty.

This is the undignified model most Nigerian political leaders tenaciously adopt as they gallivant in self-dellusion rather than face the grim reality of the multifaceted challenges strangulating the country.

It is very sad that the Nigerian political leaders have toed this dishonourable path for too long and the tidal harm resulting from their misrule dots the nooks and crannies of our country.

At the peak of worry is the rising and frightening insecurity seriously hurting the country and inflicting severe torture on the psyche of the citizens.

Recall that since democracy re-birthed in 1999, satanic acts of terrorism and other sinister crimes have caused a collosal harm to our hitherto peaceful country.

Since then, the Nigerian state has known no peace as tears and wailings have become a recurring decimal.

Sadly, in recent years, coordinated efforts by successive governments to nip the roaring monster in the bud have yielded little progress, a worrisome narrative that stuns Nigerians, and questions the capacity and commitment of the government of the day to timeously tackle the worsening insecurity.

Little wonder, Nigeria is ranked sixth in the list of most terrorized countries in the world, according to global terrorism index (GTI).

Disturbed by this calamitous developments, it is pertinent to say that any country whose police force is functionally tattered, disoriented and dysfunctional will not be able to tackle alarming insecurity head-on.

This is the “holy fact” the Nigerian government must not shy away from.

Sincerely speaking, untill the government of the day is committed to doing the needful to prioritize her internal security architecture, reform her police force and reposition it to patriotically and diligently serve the country, whatever measures being taken to combat the ravaging insecurity will definitely result in naught.

The Nigerian government must not gloss over this salient truth if it must make any meaningful progress in the desperate search for a lasting solution to the country’s insecurity situation.

Succinctly speaking, many things are seriously wrong with the Nigeria police force. It has since lost its bearing in the protection of lives and properties of Nigerians, and enforcement of law and order.

It baffles many how a foundationally defective police force like the Nigeria police will be able to match the rising and ‘sophisticated’ crimes ravaging the country.

Staring us in the face is the enormous challenges the Nigeria police force is faced with and beckoning to the government to timeously address.

In a nutshell, the Nigeria police will be fit to perform their onerous duty of policing the country when the plethora of challenges limiting its operations are holistically addressed.

It is absurd that police barracks are no different from glorified shanties. The psychology that drives their living conditions also ensures that they are totally stripped of self esteem and will power to confront crime headlong.

It is disheartening how much retired policemen and women receive for pension. A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) recently disclosed on national television that his pension was N35,000, which is far below the national minimum wage. What a shamem

More appalling is the fact that the police, which is a federal institution, relies on State governments for funding. How can such a body fight heinous, crimes like terrorism kidnappings, banditry, ritual killings and cattle rustling?

If we are truly serious about tackling major crimes, we must invest in the purchase of modern equipment, and improve on the welfare of the force. Emphasis on the military to handle these crimes would not be effective unless due attention is paid likewise to the police.

It is a sad commentary that officers have to buy the uniforms and boots that they use for duty. They also buy bullets for their guns. Pray, what kind of police force are we expecting to fight crime in Nigeria? What motivation is there that is risking one’s life?

Ultimately, the National Assembly and the executive arm of government must step up the game and give us a professional police force. Even while we ponder over the desirability of state police, we cannot do without fixing the ailments that plague the Nigerian police. It’s the way to go if we must have effective law and order in place.

(Published by The Southerner on Saturday, May 24, 2025)