Use of tear gas on civilians

December 5, 2018

MEN of the Nigeria Police Force were once civilians and will later in life turn to civilians, either by retirement, resignation or dismissal just like a popular saying that whatever goes around, comes around. When civilians take to the street to protest perceived acts of injustice against them or issues of deprival of their fundamental human rights or unfriendly policies to draw the attention of relevant authorities, it has become the norm for men of the Nigerian Police Force to use tear gas on them on the excuse that they want to control the crowd or dispel it.

These often lead to people getting wounded or developing health issues. We have several examples of these scenarios. But now, even men of the police force have now realized that every citizen has the right to protest and press home their demands and also protest. But when they take to the street or block roads in protest, who will obstruct or tear-gas them or spray hot water and pepper on them?

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I recall an event in July when the policemen in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, took to the streets shooting into the air and chanting war songs in protest of what they called six months unpaid allowances and the video clips went viral on traditional and social media. But the Force Headquarter in Abuja denied that it was a protest. Also, media reported in November that “for two days the hooded police officers barricaded the Owerri/Orlu road in Owerri, the Imo State capital resulting in heavy gridlock and panic in the area. Shooting sporadically into the air, the demonstrators who hid their identities also set bonfires on the highway.”

I am not happy with their situation neither will I ever encourage such abnormality to continue in the system of governance. But the truth be told, will they support the civilian if such action is taken? Even if they will not join the protest, will they allow the citizens to exercise their rights, which also include protesting to let the public know their plight?

Over time, such opportunity was thwarted by the men of the Nigeria Police Force with the support of their sister agencies.

Often, we hear that the police is our friend; are they really our friends? The amazing thing in most cases is the fact that they used their guns, which were bought with the tax payers’ money to intimidate the innocent citizens, while the bandits will be there somewhere attacking the community at will and you dare not challenge them. I am once a victim.

The truth is that our society will not develop with such attitude on the part of our security forces. In many cases, such attitude has incurred numerous judgment debts to Nigeria government with the damages and compensations to be paid to uncountable Nigerians, which range from accidental discharge, abuse of human rights forced bribery, among others. My advice is that when next the citizens are protesting for a good cause, Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies should protect them and not tear-gas them. To have a better Nigeria, it is essential the security forces appreciate the need to collaborate with civilians or civil society organisations (CSOs) in tackling developmental challenges.