In light of an official press statement by Seyitan Babalola, detailing her experience at the hands of the Nigerian Police on the orders of popular entertainer, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo also known as D’banj, Nigerians have instituted a conversation on social media on the questionable practices of the Nigerian Police.

In the statement, Seyitan who earlier accused the entertainer of raping her, alleged that the Nigerian Police had gained entry into her house posing as delivery agents. She explained that she was arrested and her devices ceased while they proceeded to detain her. The statement noted that she was threatened to keep quiet on the rape allegation, causing many Nigerians to criticise the Police for illegal and controversial practices many know them for.

Apart from condemning their reported actions in Seyitan’s statement, many recounted instances in which they had been maltreated by police officials. 

I knew the Nigerian police was irredeemably useless when I accompanied my ex and his friend to report his stolen car and right after they wrote their statements, they handcuffed his friend. No investigation whatsoever. Just a spontaneous, instinctive “he’s the primary suspect.”

— Doreen Uloma N. (@ulxma) June 18, 2020

Few minutes ago.. the men of the Nigerian police were chasing a guy thinking he is a Yahoo boy, they shot his car tyre not far from my car…. A new car, Lexus.. there was no traces of the driver, 80% chances he got burnt…. I am in tears

— Pius Tolulope (@pecky2good) June 23, 2020

You guys do not know how messed the Nigerian Police is.

Had to go and bail two 21 yr olds because a married 30+ man was cheating on his wife with one of them, the 21 ye old found out and texted the wife. Man used the NPF to arrest her and her friend claiming threat to life.

— Balogun Eleniyan (@MONSIEURBLAC) June 18, 2020

 

Many individuals accused the Police force of incompetence, corruption amongst many other things.

Nigerian police force is the most incompetent, most corrupt, most annoying and disgraceful force in the world.

Nigerians deserve better tbh ?

— Bayo (@mr_adebayo5) June 24, 2020

Two things i know thats very Useless in this life The Nigerian Police and Arsenal.

— juice box (@Mr_uk_benson) June 24, 2020

 

Many Nigerians were angered and ranted more on the topic in reaction to an opinion piece in a National daily; declaring that the police are human and so are not above mistakes. 

The police are not angels, they are normal human beings and as a result, they can goof… The corrupt ones among them are only corrupt on their own, and would have been equally corrupt in any other profession they might have belonged. https://t.co/ycmEFTM8hL @PoliceNG @segalink

— The Nation Nigeria (@TheNationNews) June 24, 2020

 

Nigerians countered the premise in the aforementioned article and asserted that there are some professions in which officials are not allowed to “goof” such as pilots and policemen. 

Are pilots allowed to “goof” too?

— Obaro (Option C) (@Obaro__) June 24, 2020

So it’s justifiable to be corrupt because we’re humans and as humans, we have that tendency to be corrupt. Abi I don’t understand?

— louis_WM4 (@LouisWm4) June 24, 2020

"Pilots are not angels, they are normal human beings and as a result, they can goof… The bad ones among them are only bad on their own, and would have been equally bad in any other profession they might have belonged."

Now imagine you read this from an airline you booked WWYD?

— Kayode F. Oyeniran (@kfoyeniran) June 24, 2020

Nigerian police are humans and as such allowed to goof?

Imagine if a pilot is allowed to goof
Imagine if a Pharmacist is allowed to goof
Imagine if an electrician is allowed to goof

You all making Excuses to justify the alarming rate of corruption in your force. https://t.co/PVeZ431mSZ

— Chlorpheniramine ?? (@VictorIsrael_) June 24, 2020

 

Many made references to past events in which they believe that the police had unlawfully protected the accused. Some recalled the story about police officers appearing at the house of Nigerian singer, Timi Dakolo, brandishing weapons. Many Nigerians suggested that they were employed by the accused, Pastor of The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo who had allegedly raped Dakolo’s wife years ago. 

This is the same thing the police and fatoyinbo tried to do to Busola. The police came to their house with guns to intimidaate Busola and her family. I rem timi called it institutionalized intimidation and this is exactly what is happening to Seyitan too. Fuck the Nigerian police

— Ajoke (@Deolzz) June 17, 2020

 

Dozens of users condemned in entirety, the trend of the Police being used as a tool of injustice in the hands of those in power. 

Sadly, fighting for the justice of rape victims will involve reforming the Nigerian police. Many of them are enablers. They’d free a rapist with just 50K. Trust me when I say that Nigerian police are terrible people.

— ??????? ????? (@Solomon_Buchi) June 24, 2020

A rare photo of our gallant Nigerian Police Force keeping watch and protecting the citizens. pic.twitter.com/XzwsvC0MlN

— Beautiful Buoy (@BeautifulBuoy) June 24, 2020

 

The Nigerian Police is yet to confirm or reject the allegations tabled against them in Seyitan’s statement.