Daily Independent Online.
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Wednesday, June 16, 2004.
Nigeria
Police, under Obasanjo, are a shame
Compared to previous administrations, it
can easily be concluded that the Obasanjo Administration is
weakest in mustering the political will to control the Nigeria Police
Force. From the way they carry on with their rotten business, I dare say that
the Police have no regard for the President, as they have consistently refused
to be tamed.
The shame of this administration is that the motto of
the Nigeria Police seems to be "make as much money as you can." and
that is why they fleece the public as if tomorrow will never come. Armed
policemen are everywhere extorting money from motorists, with dire conseqences
for whoever dares to turn them down. Indeed, you cannot think of saying no when
a gun is pointed at your head!
Between Onitsha and Enugu, for instance, you will
meet at least 12 squads of armed policemen extorting money from motorists
without fear of being apprehended by the so-called anti-corruption squads.
Within the towns also, they are at every junction as
early as 5.30 a.m.. extorting money from traders.
Meanwhile, should somebody raise an alarm about an
armed robber attack you would see them running into the bush with their
weapons, leaving the civilians they are paid to protect at the mercy of the
hoodlums, only for them to return when the tension is over. A conservative
estimate shows that at least N10 million is lost to police extortion monthly in
Anambra State alone. What a shame!
The fact that the appropriate authorities have not
been able to effectively curb this trend shows that someone, somewhere. is
benefiting immensely from this dirty business.
_
Joseph
Ilom,
Onitsha
