Kingsley
N.T. Bangwell
Today as
we drove from Abuja to Ondo, we passed several check points or may I say
collections points mounted by Police and other law enforcement agencies. None
checked our vehicle, the driver would just do the so called usual, pass on some
money to them and we proceed. Of course most of my team members and I would
just normally react.....but I decided to observe the Policemen and to reflect a
bit.
At every
point we stopped, I keenly observed their faces, clothing, shoes and the shacks
they rested by. I could see a bunch of folks whose faces is steadily scotched
by the sun, their uniforms worn out and their shoes begging for replacement
long ago.
No
shelters...yet they must stand long hours. I dont know if meals and water is
provided for them daily or they are just to sort themselves.
Their
guns you can see are obsolete to say the least. A few of them had newly looking
hilux vans, but I didnt see any sophisticated communication gadgets. How do
they cope at night?
How do
they cope in the rains or during windstorms? Are they well insured against
reckless drivers who could run into them? Are they well paid for the service
they are rendering to citizens? Can they really stand very armed and ruthless
armed robbers? How well taken are their families if they fall in the line of
duty? Many questions raced through my mind.
I could
not help but wonder if we are treating our Policemen and women who stand across
several road networks in the bush and midst of no where as citizens. Could we
expect more from people we treat with such neglect? I dont condone their toll
collections either. But I just thought to reflect and to say, I will do more to
say Thank you and show more appreciation to all Police and Security Officials
who stand on the road to do national duty.
Lets also
encourage all efforts by both government and by well meaning Nigerians to
improve the welfare and working conditions of our Police Force.
And I
still ask, are they Nigerian citizens? If yes, can we treat them much better?
Will you join me to show more appreciation to the Police next time?
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