Politicized, paralyzed and polarised,that is the story of the police in the eyes of former Abia state governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu who Tuesday urged government to go ahead with the proposed reforms targeted at the Force.
Kalu described policemen as the most ridiculed and unprotected group in the country even in the face of danger as they are expected to brave all odds at the risk of their lives.
He said,”I really do not know the difference between a policeman and a man with death penalty hanging on his neck.I have lost count of the number of cops that die everyday in the country.Death has become so easy,armed robbers do not want to see them,militants descend on them and now politicians have taken over.In all these, no one talks about the welfare of the police.What we hear is an officer being shot in his sitting room by unknown gunmen, or local government and state police.”
The ex-governor reminded Nigerians of the role the Force played in boosting the international image of the country even when compatriots only brought shame outside our shores.
“There was a man called James Udoekim Usen.I remember him as Imo state Police Commissioner around the Sam Mbakwe era.In 1975,he became the first African to head a foreign police force when he was seconded to Grenada.Our first Olympic gold was won by Chioma Ajunwa,first world indoor champion was Sunday Bada and the first African world heavyweight boxing champion Samuel Peter.Thanks to the police.Yet their barracks look like a war zone in Syria,”Kalu added.
For the Police to be more efficient ,he pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to breathe a new life into the force so that the respect they earned during colonial times would be restored.
“May i remind all that the British believed in Nigerian policemen, that was why Chief Luis Orok Edet became the first indigenous Inspector General in April1964,replacing J.E.Hodge.At that time,Gen.Christopher Welby-Everard was still Army Chief,Capt William Skutill head of the Navy and Col.G. Khatz of Germany,Head of the Airforce.It was later in
January1965 that Gen.Aguiyi Ironsi was allowed to lead the army.Capt. Wey took over the Navy shortly after Orok was announced,while Col. George Kurubo became Air chief in 1966.So government should also help the police to help Nigerians just like the Armed Forces”,Kalu said.
Signed
Emeka Obasi.