Apart from the challenges of shortage of food, test kits, face masks and some other equipment needed in the country for the containment of the dreaded pandemic coronavirus, the other challenge is security.
Just at the beginning of the lockdown, quite a number of people have one way or the other gone through hell in the hands of security agents all in the name of enforcing the lockdown in many parts of the country.
In the first few weeks, no fewer than 25 people were killed with the evidence of such barbaric acts coming from the general public who either called or sent in videos. It’s a known fact that Nigeria Police had a bad reputation for brutality, extortion and harassment even before the outbreak of the virus.
Although, Police authority on several occasion had called on Nigerians to report officers who violate rules on conduct as Nigeria Police Force on some occasion have had to dismiss some erring officers while others were demoted to act as a deterrent to others but there seem not to be working as some officers still engage in extrajudicial killings, extortion and brutality.
We cannot overrule the fact that the citizens also have their faults but at least, there are guiding laws put in place for offenders where they’ll be tried whatever offence committed rather than taken the law into their hands.
The authorities say the lockdown, curfews and other crowd control measures are aimed at saving lives but overzealous enforcement has cost lives which put the balance between personal freedoms and human rights on the one hand and the need to protect the society as a whole from coronavirus on the hand.
It’s however, important to note that basic human rights of the people should be at the centre of the government’s response to the pandemic, especially those who are most vulnerable like traders, street vendors and the youths. Should the security agents be reminded that it’s the same people they kill and maim that government use their tax paid to pay their salaries and when they’re through sniffing out life out of the taxpayers, who’ll pay their salaries?
Without hesitation, the government must find a lasting solution in checkmating the excesses by training and retraining of their officers especially when they’re drafted for one duty or the other. By so doing, Nigeria Police will not regain its lost glory but also make the police force more effective in discharging its duty which no doubt will translate to the community having its peace without hassle.
The federal government must set aside an emergency fund for unforeseen situations that could put the nation at the verge of extinction. We must always be prepared for either man-made or natural disaster at any given time
