TheCable

The police have come under heavy criticism, this time not for brutality or extrajudicial killing, but for a Twitter post that seems to be an attempt to redeem its image and rebuild trust.

Under the #EndSARS campaign, youth in the past weeks took to the streets to protest against police brutality and extrajudicial killings, especially by officers of the defunct special anti-robbery squad (SARS).

In line with the demands of the #EndSARS protesters, the federal government also directed states to set up judicial panels of inquiry to bring police officers found guilty for violating human rights to justice.

But the police, on Monday, uploaded a flyer on Twitter, stating that its officers were doing their best to serve Nigerians.

“We are not a collection of angels, but we are doing our best to serve you better,” the flyer read.

pic.twitter.com/BQLVzp9sJf

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) October 26, 2020

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The post, as of 8am on Tuesday, had been retweeted over 9,000 times and had over 4,000 replies, with many Twitter users criticising the post.

Below are some of the reactions:

SOME WORKS CAN’T AFFORD TO HAVE BAD EGGS!!!
Even if you have those bad eggs, why should we be pointing them out and you are doing close to nothing.
We aren’t asking for too much, we are asking you to do your job, enforce the law, just that this time face the bad eggs among you!!!

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— Calypha (@OWariz) October 26, 2020

we need a town hall meeting with you guys if citizens must reiterate trust in and work with the Police. Right now we are like Cats and Rats difficult to coexist.

— PortHarcourt bred Lagos-IgalaBoy. 🇩🇪 (@pharuc1) October 26, 2020

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What Benefits The Citizens , Benefits The Police Too. If You’re Paid Better , Have Enough To Put Your Kids In School, Have Good Health Care And Insurance, Can Go On Holidays With Your Family And Exposed To The Greater Need, We All Wont Be Having Issues.

— Just Strauss 🦜 (@CivilisedParrot) October 26, 2020

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We are not looking for angels. We are looking for men and women dedicated to protect us and serve us.

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— 🇳🇬 (@chineduanaz) October 26, 2020

All we ask is for officers to be trained better , and their general welfare taken care of So they see us as friends and allies in development rather than a means of income and survival , we are all struggling in this country

— the Voice of the Forest Speaks (@BakumorSpeaks) October 26, 2020

Hope you know this is not a way to show you care?

Transparency and Accountability!

How hard is that from even the few demons!

— LEO (@OlotuEmmanuel) October 26, 2020

Good, if you really want your men to be accountable, make it an offense that attracts instant dismissal for men to go out armed without uniforms or identity card tags, people that are undercover do not mount roadblocks or conduct stop and search.

— Ebube (@ebubec1) October 26, 2020

Town hall meeting with people at various local govt area is needed to reassure everyone that we are safe and the police force is out to serve and protect the citizens as well as fight crime. Physical town hall meetings will create good rapport btw u and the people..

— Oghenekaro Dorcas (@DorcasKaro) October 26, 2020

Imagine if an airline tweeted this and said; “We’re not a collection aviators but we do our best”…will you fly that airline? 🤣🤣

We’re not asking you to be Angels. Just do your job and apply severe punishment to officers who break the code of conduct!

— E³ (@jobseekerscreed) October 26, 2020