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Nigerians Share Disturbing Experiences with Police Following Kemi Badenoch’s Comments

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Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Conservative Party, has recently ignited controversy with her statements about Nigeria, particularly regarding her negative experiences with the Nigerian police.

 

In an interview with The Free Press, which gained traction over the weekend, Badenoch was asked if she trusted the British police. She responded, “I do. My experience with the police in Nigeria was very negative, and coming to the UK, my first experience with the police was very positive. The police in Nigeria would rob us.

 

“I remember the police stealing my brother’s shoes and his watch. It’s a very poor country, so people do all sorts of things.”

 

In light of Badenoch’s comments, users on the social media platform X have shared their troubling encounters with the Nigerian police. Although this magazine has not independently verified all the accounts, the following narratives reflect various unpleasant experiences:

 

Dr Adewale Ogunlana, a user on the platform, recounted how Nigerian police operatives arrested one of his lab scientists while attempting to make a purchase just days ago. He stated, “A few weeks ago, my lab scientist was abducted by the Nigerian police at the bus stop while trying to buy something. Guess what? They took his phone first!

 

“I do not care about the political intentions of Kemi Badenoch, but it’s foolish to assume we don’t recognize that what she said reflects the current reality of the Nigerian police.

 

“If he hadn’t contacted us before his phone was forcefully taken, we wouldn’t have been able to find him. They had no reason to charge him with anything! What crime did he commit? Nothing. They claimed it was a sanctioned raid. They didn’t give him the chance to identify himself or contact anyone who could vouch for him. They just wanted to throw him in a cell. Where is this legal, for God’s sake?”

 

Dr. Ogunlana emphasized, “When we praise a bad situation instead of calling it out, we hinder real change. Acknowledging the bitter truth about the Nigerian police doesn’t mean we hate this country. It signifies that we care about it. The only way forward is to create a justice system that works for all Nigerians.

 

“I love Nigeria deeply, and issues like this cause me pain. Evil will thrive when good people do nothing, and even worse when they remain silent. We must not be quiet. We must speak the truth to heal our nation. Those charged with protecting our lives and property must do so honourably. May Nigeria be great again. Amen .”

 

Another user, who goes by the name Boy_Called_Mun, posted about a man named Richard Gora, who purchased a used phone in Kaduna. According to the post, along with a memorial photo of Richard, “The police in Kaduna state tracked the phone to Richard’s family home. They ‘picked’ Richard up from his house and tortured him to death. They killed Richard for something he knew nothing about. There has been no justice to this day.”

 

A user identified as Daughter of Richard added, “They (the police) killed my uncle, and his colleagues hastily buried them, falsely claiming they were militants. They stole their money and phones just hours after he called to wish my grandma a happy New Year. He was one of the NPA staff they murdered. I will forever detest the Nigerian police.”

 

Another user, Daughter of an Engineer, shared her own harrowing experience with the Nigerian police: “I used to run a kitchen in Yesufu Abiodun, Oniru, where I supplied food to banks and offices in Victoria Island, Lagos. My 15-year-old son often helped with deliveries after completing his WAEC exams in 2018. One day, since our delivery was close to home, he went without a driver, carrying the food and our POS machine.

 

“Tragically, the Nigerian police abducted him, confiscated his phone, and took him to the anti-cultism unit in Gbagada. We searched everywhere in Victoria Island, unaware that he had been taken so far. Eventually, they allowed him to call me, and his terrified voice broke my heart: ‘Mummy, are you on your way? I’m so scared.’

 

“My husband and I, along with our lawyer, rushed to the station. At the gate, they seized our phones. Then I saw my son—half-naked and sitting on the ground with over 100 others outside the station. I collapsed in tears. My British husband demanded to see the DPO and directly asked, ‘What offence are you charging my son with?’ The boy hadn’t been given a chance to explain himself, yet the food and POS machine were right there at the station. The DPO’s response? ‘Because he dyed his hair.’ That was it. Nothing more.

 

“In the end, we were forced to pay for his release. This incident was a turning point for my husband, who decided we couldn’t continue living in Nigeria.

 

“What made this even more painful was the nature of our family. My children were homeschooled, had no social circles outside the family, and never went anywhere without us.”

 

Solomon Buchi, a Nigerian journalist now based in the UK, commended Badenoch’s submission to the Nigeria Police. Buchi wrote, “The police in Nigeria kidnapped me and my younger bro in Abuja and stole over half a million naira from us. She’s right on this one and I love that she’s saying this on the global stage.”

 

Notably, the men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have been notorious for extrajudicial killing, illegal arrests and unjust treatment of innocent Nigerians.

 

In recent times, police have harassed journalists and activists. Several Nigerian individuals have also complained about the alleged looting of the police while mistaking them for cybercriminals.

 

Last week, PIJAlance reported that an activist was allegedly picked up on the order of the Nigerian Police Public Relations Officer from her Lagos residence.

 

Read Also: Nigeria Ranks Partly Free on Global Freedom for Use of Internet, Civic Rights

PIJAlance Magazine, is an independent public-centric journalism arm of PIJA Foundation that stands to tell stories connecting the masses to community justice and development. We always rebel against social injustice. Got a story you'll like us to publish, tip us in contact us.

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