POLICE- The Emerging Nightmare Of The Nigerian Student

Justice without force is impotent; Force without justice is tyranny"

The joy of every old generation should, basically, be to see the younger generation flourishing. That of all Parents is to have Children that will cater for them at old age. These precepts, I understand, are norms in a sane society, one that is truly egalitarian and upholds the principle of fairness.

As the University of Benin Students' Union continue to demand and probe the killing of one of the Institution's Student by the Police, tragedy struck again, this time in Akwa Ibom where Men of the Nigerian Police allegedly shot at Students. Four NANS comrades were lost in what was described as a mysterious accident on their way to Akwa Ibom to intervene in the Police-Students face-off.

The two incidents described in the above paragraph really gives one a cause to worry. Is it one of the agenda of the Police force to continually oppress and brutalize Nigerian Students? The Nigerian Police has constantly and continually apply force without thinking of justice. Isn't it said that "to whom a brain is given, commonsense is expected"? Here is what the Amnesty International has to say about the Police:

"Police operations remained characterized by human rights violations. Hundreds of people were unlawfully killed, often before or during arrests on the street. Others were tortured to death in police detention. Many such unlawful killings may have constituted extrajudicial executions. Many people disappeared from police custody. Few police officers were held accountable, leaving relatives of those killed or disappeared without justice. Police increasingly wore plain clothes or uniforms without identification, making it much harder for people to complain about individual officers."

Can we still then believe in the cliché 'Police is your Friend'?

So many questions beg for answers, but then, shall we just fold our arms and continually mourn our loved ones? This is a clarion call to Government at all levels, and every citizenry of this great Nation, to put heads together and bring about the much needed reforms in the Police force.

To all NANS executives, may God give you the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. RIP Comrade Donald and Co.

If the Police constantly, directly or indirectly, terminate the lives of the productive population, then who will Secure our Generation?

The immediate challenge therefore is, what are the necessary reforms needed in the Nigerian Police?

Aluta Continua
Justa Costa
Victoria Acerta