Saturday, November 20, 2010

About Nigerian Actress Ufuoma Ejenobor and the Nigerian Police

Unless you've been living under a rock you've probably heard about what happened between the above parties. But for the people wey don rent rock let me rehash the story:


On October 29, Ufuoma was driving in her car when  "Suddenly, a Toyota Hilux Truck, marked ESCORT, roughly squeezed its way in between, hit my car from the rear and sped off. He damaged the right side fender. I was frightened. I thought they were armed robbers. To my surprise, the driver did not show any sign of regret that he had damaged my car. That was when I drove after him.” She chased after the car and when they did not stop she became angry as anyone would. But as she said  “they called me all sorts of unprintable names like (witch, prostitute) asking ,”who gave you the car? One of them even threatened to shoot me. I kept pursuing them until I caught up with them at the front of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Zone 2, Lagos.”


And afterwards some of the men beat her, and this is what happened


http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid17190315001?bctid=676239192001




Some serious stuff, no? I mean she is furious here and understandably so. Well here are my thoughts: First off, I do not doubt that this happened as the Nigerian police has proved that 98% of the time they do not work for the interest of the public. Their function in society is still a puzzle to me, what is it that they do? Stand by the road and take bribes? Come to weddings as security but drink themselves to a stupor, what is it that they do exactly? Are they a public service group or are we supposed to pay them to look after us and ensure our safety? Tell me why anyone needs a security man guarding their houses while they sleep? Because we cannot count on the police to protect us, that's why! Have you seen them on the road, they drive like there is no one in front of them, not caring about the lives they are putting in danger. 


Everyone knows the traffic situation in Nigeria is not pretty, but The Police, they don't care! They want to drive through you to get to where they are going, because what's more important to them is going to that person who is going to pay them or going to stand at that junction to collect 20 Naira bills from commuters. Ufuoma is a victim, but unlike you and I, she is a public figure, and now that she is not keeping quiet about this, all those people who were treated the same way have a voice, someone like them only more famous. 


People have questiond the validity of the incident, but let me ask you this; What does she have to gain by putting herself out there like that? She did not look like she was having fun while screaming, that looked like a woman tired, angry, stressed and confused. The police needs a Makeover and fast. The government needs to re-examine the reasons for forming the police force and get rid of the Bad people in it, I don't doubt that there are good officers, however it seems that there is more bad than good associated with the Nigerian Police. Behaviour like this is unnaceptable and for the police to say that she was asking for it, is callous and insensitive! 


 It is a sad day when we have to protect ourselves from the people, whose job it is to protect us.
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