Nigerian writer and activist Elias Ozikpu has shared a personal account of police misconduct, backing recent comments made by UK Minister Kemi Badenoch about systemic corruption in Nigeria. In a piece published on Sahara Reporters, Ozikpu alleges that officers of the Nigerian police force stole his phone during an encounter in 2019.
Ozikpu detailed how, in 2019, he was stopped by officers who not only harassed him but also made away with his phone without justification. Despite efforts to retrieve his property, the officers refused to return it, leaving him frustrated and helpless.
In his statement, Ozikpu pointed out that his experience is far from unique, emphasizing how police corruption and abuse of power have become deeply entrenched in Nigeria. “Kemi Badenoch’s remarks might have ruffled feathers, but they reflect a painful truth,” Ozikpu wrote. “This is the harsh reality many Nigerians face daily.”
Kemi Badenoch, a British Minister of Nigerian descent, recently criticized Nigeria’s governance and systemic corruption during a public address, sparking debates within and outside the country. Ozikpu’s account serves as a real-life example supporting her assertions.
The writer called for urgent reforms within Nigeria’s police force and a broader overhaul of the country’s leadership culture, urging citizens and diaspora communities to continue speaking out against injustices.
Have you or someone you know ever faced a similar experience with law enforcement in Nigeria? How can systemic corruption in the police force be addressed?
Peoplesmind
