Badenoch’s negative portrayal of Nigeria Police unfair-PCRC

Badenoch’s negative portrayal of Nigeria Police unfair-PCRC

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has described the recent comments by the UK Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch, about  Nigerian Police as unfair.

The National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan  expressed the view in an  interview  with News Agency Of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

NAN reports Badenoch had, in an interview with a UK journalist, accused the Nigerian Police of robbing citizens, saying that her brother’s shoes and watch were stollen by some officers.

She further said  that men of  Nigeria Police Force usually deploy the guns and weapons in their possession to intimidate citizens they are supposed to protect.

Olaniyan said  that a good number of police personnel in Nigeria had proven to be sincere and professional.

He said the recent rejection of N20 million bribe by Mr Adegoke Fayoade, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 was an example of integrity and professionalism demonstrated by personnel of the Nigerian Police.

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The PCRC boss further said the recent arrest of 113 foreigners in Jahi area of Abuja on Nov. 3 over cybercrime was also an achievement deserving acknowledgement of police efficiency.

“While we are not denying the fact that there are challenges and room for improvement, we must not forget the great dangers of ridiculing our country.

“It is an undeniable fact that many horrible things happened and are  still happening  in foreign countries, particularly in the UK and US ,that  not reported by their media.

“Rather than ridiculing the Nigeria Police, it would have been better for Badenoch to use her good position to impact positively on the system,” he said.

He said the UK Police ,in the 60s, 70s and 80s, was  notorious for corruption, intimidation and harassment of their citizens and foreigners.

The PCRC boss said  citizens did not  expose those issues to the  international community but instead supported  initiatives and  reforms to change the narrative.

“It is possible that Badenoch or her family members were  stopped or interrogated by the Police in Nigeria over an issue which prompted that  derogatory comments.

“This should never take away or ignore the great works of the police in Nigeria, especially, under the current leadership,” he said.

The chairman, while acknowledging Badenoch’s achievements , also urged her to be fair and balance her views on Nigeria .

He urged her to avoid sweeping comments and generalisation.

Badenoch’s negative portrayal of Nigeria Police unfair-PCRC

(NAN)