EDUCATION: CRIMINALS IN UNIFORM By: Abubakr Damilare (MAIYAKI)

"Nigeria is a fairly dangerous destination. It is highly advisable to travel with a Nigerian friend or visit a Nigerian friend, it could be your only way to enjoy the country to it's fullest without you having to sleep with an eye open. You can go to Abuja, the Capital". -* Wikitravel.org

The brutality that some law enforcement agencies inflicts on the poor  Nigerians is a direct example of 'Human Right' violation. Though these are supposed institutions of the masses, saddled with the task of ensuring adequate compliance with the rule of law.
But unfortunately, instead of operating within the ambit of constitutional provisions, the consistent overlaps done by these agencies seems invariable. As a matter of fact, the unprofessionalism in their paradigms of operation is 'way too' just to say the least.

Compared to the global best practices, our security agencies are heavily below standards. Rather than just bending with the trend of intelligence and technological evolution, they have remained stern on the path of 'diservice to humanity' plus working with impunity. That indeed, should pose a serious threat to any true democratic state.
Whereas in Nigeria, it is becoming a norm:

A norm for officers of the Nigerian Police Force to terrorize innocent Nigerian citizens on the street, parade suspects like criminals before the media, and deny them access to basic rights while in custody.

A norm for our men in 'Kaki' to brutalize helpless citizens, reduce them to public ridicule, thus causing an everlasting  trauma.

A norm for the men of the 'Nigeria Customs Service' to be partial at our borders, Allowing smugglers with an oily palm into the country while only arresting the ones with dry fingers. This is also evident of their counterparts in the Immigration Service.
What a sheer bribery !

A norm for our Road Safety Corps to engage in needless oversight functions and either mandating erring drivers to pay high dues and be freed or the option of doing the needful. Even the officers at our various prisons are always found wanting of one crime or the other ; if they are not helping a criminal to escape, they are doing other dirty jobs.

It is very unfortunate that this spirit of disservice to our fatherland had become so rampant in the country that even paramilitary agencies are also involved. However it is interesting that many paramilitary agencies like  the Cadets and Vigilante groups are seen as better law enforcement institutions and can be more trusted by members of the public than those on the government's payroll.
This is worrisome and needs to be fixed.

In developed countries, most of these security laxity have been tackled. The reason why they have better borders, better traffic control, better Immigration services, and low crime rates.

If only  the Nigerian government at all levels can pay better attention  to the aforementioned flaws, internal security will be enhanced and the bridge in our corporations with the 'Multi National' Joint task force will be breached.

Until we do this, our image on the global map is still nothing to write home about. The opening citation concisely explains why we have low foreign investors and why Nigeria is the headquarters of corruption. Verily, security and corruption are  major challenges. They are the determining factors for other sectors to thrive.

*Written by✍🏾 Maiyaki Abubakar Damilare [MAIYAKI]*
maiyaki813@gmail.com