The Role of Nigeria Police in Upholding Civility: A Case Study – Oluwatoyin Mathnuel
By Naomisophyblog
The Nigeria Police have good breeds that has been upholding high standards in discharging their duties diligently. Though out of twelve, there can always be a Judas whom most Nigerians have come across one way or the other.
As a Nigerian and an online publisher of security news, posterity will not forgive me if I fail to pronounce these police officers’ good conduct, considering the fact that both knew nothing about me neither my profession.
As a grassroots reporter attached to grassroots events of monarchs, market men, and women, etc., I was on my usual assignment coverage to Oba Abdul Fatai Aremu Aromire (The OJORA of Ijora / Iganmu kingdom) palace, regarding the merrymaking of his 29th years on the throne of his forebears, as well as the preparation for the ELEGBA EJIWA festival, sometime late month of July, early August 2023.
After all was said and done, I gladly boarded a tricycle bus, fondly called “Maruwa”, heading towards Costain at Ijora bus stop so I could quickly meet up with a senior colleague at Alausa in Ikeja.
It was a very interesting cruise, not until a splash of muddy water from a very rough driver of a Toyota Camry disrupted the sail. “Whaaaaat? All the passengers yelled as the muddy, dirty stinking water touched all the occupants of the bus, including the driver, who in annoyance and as instructed by the angered passengers to waylay the so-called Toyota Camry car owner. As God would have it, the speedy Toyota Camry was slowed down by a pothole very close to the National Art Theatre main entrance.
In annoyance five of us alighted to showcased the havoc the so-called “Big Man” had rendered, especially on me, whom all including passersby felt for because of my white jeans that were already grey due to the huge stains all over, for I sat at the extreme end of the tricycle’s back seat on the left ( Driver) side.
We were boiling with anger, the “Big Man” sitting, realizing his unfortunate deed, could not help but plead for forgiveness. “Oga, come down jare! We yelled! You dey beg us inside moto? For what nowww? See whetin you do us? ‘You must buy this auntie another trouser oooo ” some voices echoed. ‘We can still use water and soap to wash our own, but this one, Oga, how you wan do am ? ” Bystanders queried the Camry driver !
Sighting concerned Nigerians fighting on my behalf, I became ‘Buga’, yelling at the driver as well. , “Oga, I can’t go anywhere with this jeans, water and soap can not do any cleanup, just buy me another jeans oooo,” I insisted.
Sighting the pandemonium at the main entrance and to avoid obstructions, ASP Godwin Ikpe of Iponri Police Division, attached to the National Art Theatre police post, could not help but became a mediator. He pleaded for peace while reprimanding the Toyota Camry driver, as other passengers accepted his plea on behalf of the driver, insisting that something must be done about my spoiled, stained white jeans. ASP Godwin Ikpe assured standbys that all would be well! The tricycle driver left with other passengers to Costain bus stop as the Toyota Corolla driver also left with a guilty conscience.
Officer Ikpe took an excuse from a concerned police officer at the same entrance and took me to the National Art Theatre police post to meet a female police officer, in the person of ASP Adaze Blessing, who welcomed me with dismay and disappointment at such a reckless driver’s act, in a container built police office, for as of then, there was a renovation of the National Art Theatre police station.
ASP Blessing offered me a skirt, which I politely rejected, then she asked someone to get me a bucket of water, as ASP Ikpe had already brought out a detergent within the premises, and I was led by the female police officer to a coded place to get myself cleaned up.
Despite all the odds that Nigerians felt sorrounds the security officers especially Nigeria Police. I am so glad within me, for these officers were extremely good, conscious of their chosen career, kind hearted and exceptional, for portraying such conduct as good police officers, discharging their duties diligently, without knowing me from Adam, nor my kind of profession.
Police are sincerely our friend. Though there are bad eggs and black sheep in the policing job, yet I think the good officers should be honored and recognized, as IGP Egbetokun honored the Oyo three police officers of Ibadan/Iseyin happenings, as well as other police officers who portrayed the policing job well in society.
I have no video nor pictures to defend my writing ups, but it won’t be fair on my side if I fail to pronounce these officers of the Nigeria Police who have done extremely well by being a mediator and a peacemaker to what other officers might just have noticed and ignored, since it wasn’t part of their assignments or secured post.
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ASP Godwin Ikpe and ASP Adaze Blessing of Iponri Police Division, attached to the National Art Theatre police post, had proven that the Police are indeed our friend !
