The Thread: Omoh F’s brutality tells us there’s a need for more than police reform

Omoh F

If we were to describe the relationship between the military and civilians in Nigeria, we might reach a dead-end from the start. The average Nigerian lives in fear of military men, and the average military personnel is ready to use his power and authority to embarrass, humiliate and even inflict harm on civilians. We have seen certain instances where Nigerians take to social media to recant gory experiences at the hands of military men. Stories like these always bring up the age-long conversation of how army personnel often abuse their powers at the expense of harmless civilians and get away with it.

In a social media thread, a Twitter user, Ada-Oma, has shared her experience with a military officer, and her story has created a large outcry with people seeking justice for her. In her story, Ada recounted how a simple question resulted in her being physically abused by the officer who was identified as Omoh F.

Like Ada-Oma, many Nigerians have had a similar experience at the hands of military officers. With the military personnel, it’s usually a case of ‘do you know who you are talking to?’. They have, since, placed themselves in positions that deter the average Nigerian from approaching them and interacting with them. While their roles are quite sensitive, it is imperative to stress that their roles are to protect civilians and not put them in a state of fear and resentment for their position.

Like the police, the military has played on this fear for long. And while Nigerians have started to actively change the narrative with demands for reform in the police system, the same must be considered for other security operatives.

It makes no absolute sense for citizens to live in fear of security operatives who were sworn in to protect them – except you are a criminal. The #EndSARS protest has created a momentum enough for change, yet the Nigerian government needs to channel the change to other security forces in the country. And the military sounds like a good place to start with Omoh F set as an example.

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