Wondering why the clamour against police brutality hasn’t stopped, even when the dissolution of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police unit was announced? Well, here is why - the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu must go.
This should be our chant just like students under National Union of Nigeria Students (NUNS) in 1978 chanted ‘Ali must go’ during a one-week nationwide protest against then Minister of Education, Ahamadu Ali, Olusegun Obasanjo led military government and Nigerian Army.
The protest started when the government asked students to mark more contribution to the nation by adding 50kobo to their cost of meal per day. The increment was from N1.50kobo to N2.00.
Back to current protesters.
Apart from demanding the prosecution of erring officers, securing the unconditional release of arrested protesters across the country, there is also a need for a reform of the unit, starting from the IGP’s resignation.
No, we didn’t lose focus, we decided to soro soke (Yoruba translation: speak up) the more. We moved from demanding an end to SARS to discovering that that would only be cutting off the branches when systemic corruption runs as a deeply-rooted plant.
During the course of this protest, various reports including tales from police officers have informed our demand for the resignation of the IGP and a total overhaul of the police force.
A commentator on Nigerian and international affairs, Kayode Ogundamisi, shared his conversation with two police officers on Twitter and here are some shocking take-homes:
The extortion of members of the public by both SARS officials and police personnel on the road is institutional, not a one-man affair.
It is a systemic corruption where welfare funds meant for lower rank officers are embezzled while the officers are left to cater for their needs - personal and official - by extortion and other crude means.
The IGP appears to be aware of the ongoing corruption as one of the officers alleged that every police operational team on checkpoints and raids makes a targeted KPI weekly monetary return to their commanders, DPO's and HOD's. Who in turn makes a return to the CP of the State or the CP in charge of the unit. These CPs, he said, then makes a return to the IGP.
The police source stated that the posting of squadron commanders is not by merit but through bribery, adding that officers on special duties (security covers for Celebrities, rich individuals, escorting night bus for transport companies, securing social party, banks and others) make monthly returns.
The arrest of citizens based on the expiration of driving or vehicle license is a money-making scheme. It is recommended that it should be handed over to FRSC or VIO.
The police force is highly commercialised, making officers fund themselves via any means possible, of which many of them end up harming citizens.
The police source recommended the probe of police training funds, international grants and study leaves.
Police officers should be held accountable, based on probing their earnings and their spendings.
Many police officers are largely underpaid and not entitled to welfare services.
A successful reform, according to the police source, will include speaking to officers in the system, hearing their experiences, woes and tales.
This isn’t an exhaustive highlight of the tales of these officers, read more here.
There have also been speculations of the IGP’s incompetence regarding not being in charge of his men. Because, for heaven sakes, why would his men assault peaceful protesters when he claims to have ordered them to stop attacking them. We need an explanation!
So, like this Twitter user stated, he is either being disobeyed or his order to continue to assault peaceful protesters are being ordered. Either way, ‘Adamu must go’.
All these and more are reasons why the reform of the police force as demanded should start from the top, the resignation of the IGP and a thorough probe into the activities of the police.
Until these demands are met, Aluta Continua!