Dear Nigerian security operatives

BY MIKE NDUKWE

I would like to thank you for safeguarding lives and properties of Nigerians. Your jobs attract some of the greatest risks even in an environment that I think, pays lip-service to your welfare.

The world has changed drastically and fast since March 2020. Just in case this hasn’t been well communicate to you or you have forgotten, Nigeria and the rest of the world are fighting a common enemy – Coronavirus.

Coronavirus is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 disease. As at today, the world has recorded 161,968 deaths and 2,359,389 total cases. Nigeria has recorded 19 deaths and 541 total cases. While we have recorded progress in recoveries (166), there are suggestions that we have entered Community spread and so the figures will definitely get worse until we peak.

Unlike other countries with better social welfare support systems, COVID-19 has brought excruciating hunger and poverty to the land. It has also brought more hardship to an already frustrated people. People who before now could afford to feed others are struggling to feed themselves. Several businesses have shutdown due to zero sales and workers have been released. It is common knowledge that without Palliatives, people will try to make some money on the streets to feed their families today and tomorrow. It is not easy watching one’s wife and kids starve. For a man, the thought alone is humiliating and killing. When you come across such people, please demonstrate empathy and ensure they don’t put themselves and others at risk of the disease. When you come across people in a gathering playing or idling away, disperse them in a professional manner after educating them on why they must be responsible this period.

Just like other nations, social distancing through lock-down is currently the only realistic approach to manage spread. In Nigeria, we just completed our first 3 weeks at home. Government doesn’t want Nigerians to die of the COVID-19 disease and so is trying as much as it can to keep people not on essential services, off the streets. Government has specifically exempted food sellers and several other workers in essential services sectors. This means Government expects citizens to patronize these businesses so they can survive. When you brutalize and kill the same people Government is trying to protect, it makes a mess of leadership’s efforts.

In the past few weeks you have been in the news for mostly the wrong reasons. You have reportedly killed fellow citizens and the videos out there keep giving us nightmares. They also make us ask several questions – Why would an officer use a gun purchased with tax payers’ money to kill the same people paying tax to keep him in the job? Why would a police officer with a family that is struggling to feed, brutalize a fellow Nigerian struggling to feed? Could it be a mental health issue, spiritual issue or both? Isn’t the brief to restrict non-essential movement, ensure social distancing and not kill people moving around? Must you use a gun against an unarmed citizen you find on the road? The questions are endless!

With COVID-19, we are all at the mercy of a ruthless disease – rich, middle class, poor, including you! COVID-19 doesn’t care if you have a gun, a police uniform, a bullet proof vest, a rank and ammunition. It will take you out if it meets you. Remember you are part of the masses. You will not have the privilege of being treated in a private hospital if you ever catch the disease. The enemy is the disease and not your fellow citizens. We all need to support each other this period.

Kindly look within and address this problem. There is a limit to what a depressed and grossly stressed people can take. Allow Nigerians to deal with COVID-19 in peace. Police brutality is the last thing anyone needs right now. Let us face one problem: COVID-19.

Let us join hands and support each other to kick-out COVID-19 from Nigeria. Preserving humanity is the priority right now. Stop the brutality!

#COVID19Nigeria #StopTheBrutality