By Idris Rufai
Reports of alleged extortion by some police officers and local vigilantes along the Old Aviele–Auchi Road have raised serious concerns. Motorists and motorcyclists reportedly face demands for money, prompting public reactions and confrontations.
While such allegations deserve proper investigation, another question deserves attention: Have we become so eager to demand accountability that we have forgotten the importance of maturity and respect?
In today’s Nigeria, it appears that a smartphone camera can turn anyone into a judge, prosecutor, and commander. Imagine a civilian ordering a serving officer to sit on the floor in the name of accountability. Is that the proper way to address alleged misconduct?
Let us be clear: wearing a uniform does not place anyone above the law. Any officer found guilty of extortion should face appropriate disciplinary action. However, demanding accountability is different from deliberately humiliating an officer in public.
What if such a confrontation escalates into violence? What if an officer loses control and opens fire? The consequences could be tragic, leaving innocent people dead and families devastated. Professional officers must exercise restraint, while civilians must understand that challenging authority does not require provoking a dangerous confrontation.Social media has also turned serious incidents into public entertainment.
A video appears on Facebook, and before the full circumstances are established, people become judges and deliver their verdicts. Recording misconduct can serve the public interest, but a video clip may not tell the whole story.
Respect, however, must never become an excuse for extortion. Citizens should not be forced to pay unlawful demands, and officers must not abuse their authority. Voluntary appreciation for an officer’s service is entirely different from money obtained through intimidation.
The state and federal governments should investigate the allegations, strengthen police supervision, and ensure that local vigilantes operate within the law. Citizens must also have reliable channels to report misconduct without fear of intimidation.
Sending officers away without addressing the underlying problem may create further security concerns. The goal should not be to humiliate our law enforcement personnel but to ensure that they serve the public professionally and lawfully.
Ultimately, Nigeria needs neither oppressive officers nor reckless citizens. We need a society where accountability and respect work together.
The law should neither kneel before a uniform nor be dragged to the floor by a civilian seeking applause. It must stand firmly above both.
Respect the uniform, demand accountability, and let the law take its proper course.
– Idris Rufai
idrisrufai744@gmail.com
