TheCable

When I first heard the reports that the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, had called a press conference to declare that intelligence reports show the popular catchphrase “no gree for anybody” is capable of plunging the country into a crisis of monumental proportions, I thought it was a joke or fake news.

In these days of rampant spread of fake news and misinformation online, it is wise to take reports – especially sensational ones – with a grain of salt before believing them outright.

However, on closer inspection, it appears the report was accurate. The police spokesperson did indeed call the press conference and issue that warning about the supposedly dangerous catchphrase.

Upon learning this, my initial reaction was one of disbelief and bemusement. With all the major issues facing Nigeria at present, it seems ridiculous that the police would take time to caution citizens about using a simple catchphrase.

Nigeria currently faces crippling economic problems, rising violent crimes and terrorist threats, and deep political divisions. Just a few weeks ago, over 200 people were brutally killed in attacks in Plateau state. This kind of violence has become numbingly routine in many parts of the country.

The police have floundered badly in their constitutional duty to maintain law, order and security. They have failed to curb terrorist organizations like Boko Haram. Criminal gangs and bandits operate freely in many states, robbing, kidnapping and killing innocent citizens.

In the federal capital Abuja, armed robbers and kidnappers have become bold enough to invade private estates and abduct residents with impunity. The situation has deteriorated so badly that living in Abuja, once considered a haven of safety, is now a tense and dangerous affair.

Simply going out at night and returning home safely is considered a blessing.

Clearly, the Nigeria Police Force has abdicated its responsibilities and is failing Nigerians at a fundamental level.

Rather than focusing on these pressing internal security matters which fall squarely under their purview, the police hierarchy strangely decided to focus on a harmless youth catchphrase.

One cannot help wondering what intelligence the police claimed to have gathered showing “no gree for anybody” could somehow threaten national security or cause monumental crisis.

As far as I can tell, this phrase has emerged recently as a lighthearted social media meme among young Nigerians, and nothing more.

It is not like Nigerians from across the country formally met and unanimously agreed to adopt “no gree for anybody” as the nation’s motto for 2024. Many such catchphrases and slang terms trend among youth on social media all the time without causing any real problems. This is merely the latest variation.

Equating it to a potential national security threat seems paranoid at best.

In fact, other national institutions like the military have also adapted the phrase into their own good-humored slang, as evidenced by the trending slogan “no gree for terrorists.” The police leadership should have similarly embraced the harmless trend and responded with its own clever spin, perhaps something like “no gree for criminals.”

Issuing ominous warnings and calling press conferences to condemn such youthful antics is an overreaction that makes the force seem alarmist and out of touch.

It also makes them appear oblivious to the real and deadly threats citizens face daily from violent crimes.

Youths coined the “no gree for anybody” phrase as a way to vent the frustration and hardships they suffer in today’s Nigeria.
They deserve understanding and engagement, not condemnation.

The police need to reconnect with the public and address their failures urgently. Fixating on benign social media catchphrases will only further alienate youth and erode trust in law enforcement.

While police advice cautioning against divisive language that could inflame political or sectarian tensions would be welcome, targeting a phrase like “no gree for anybody” is unnecessary and counterproductive.

It makes the police appear oblivious and petty while far more dangerous threats multiply unchecked. Let the youths have their fun with clever slogans that harm no one. The police have far more important duties to focus on.