The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has described as unfair the recent comments by the UK Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch, about the Nigerian Police.
The National Chairman of PCRC, Mogaji Olaniyan, expressed the view in an interview with the News Agency Of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
NAN reports Badenoch had, in an interview with a British journalist, accused the Nigerian Police of robbing citizens, saying that her brother’s shoes and watch were stolen by some policemen.
She further said that men of the Nigeria Police Force usually deploy the guns and weapons in their possession to intimidate the 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 a 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 Police personnel
The PCRC boss further said the arrest of 113 foreigners in Jabi 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 U.S.,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 1960s, ’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 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 the 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.(NAN)
