An America based Nigerian who came home had reported his firsthand experience from the Nigerian police force unprofessionalism.
The man simply known as Dolapo has twitted on his social media account stating how he was harassed by men in uniform especially when the accent in his words gave him away as an abroad based man.
Dolapo recounted how on his time out wanting to experience the good vibes of one of the country’s popular spot, he had been stopped by a police officer who threatened him with a gun, shortly joined by some of his colleagues in assaulting him.
The Nigerian-America who happened to be a soldier affirmed that the three police men could not even measure up while he defended himself from their brutality and being pepper sprayed.
However help came when some military guys and Air force person happened on the scene and Dolapo’s identity of an American soldier was revealed, he said all of a sudden, the police started acting nice.’
The Lagos State Command Public Relations Officer has earlier in the day in a tweet give credence to the report stating: “Returnees and condescending attitude everywhere. Things you dare not attempt back there… Anyway, there are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth.”
SP Hundeyin alluded that there is more to the story than was being reported, however he got a lot clap back from netizens who told him he was ‘being on the police side’ of things.
The America based Nigerian man had posted with his handle @MisterNigerD, recounting what transpire:
“How my night ended, thanks to the Nigerian police. It could have been worse if not for the intervention of the Nigerian Army and Capt. Abdullah in the Airforce. Here is the story and I’ve seen firsthand that this organization is beyond reform.
“Usually when I go out, I’m never alone. I do have a security detail. And most times I wear a touch of camo and iv never been bothered. Tonight I decide to just freestyle and go out all by myself. Went to this rave, had fun and decided to check out another spot
“My cab had just pulled up when a police officer walked up to me. Had his weapon high so I told him to atleast lower it if we gonna have a conversation at all. He pushed me aggressively and as a solder, my first instinct was to protect myself. So I quickly shoved his weapon aside
“Right there and there two other police officers joined and one even shot his weapon. Like that is gonna scare me lol. I guess that threw them off and a fight with 3 of them ensued. And cos they couldn’t take me down, I was now getting pepper sprayed
“Before I knew it , 3 police officers . I actually dint even want to identify myself other than a regular civilian. But I guess from the “accent” they thought I could be intimidated. As they were saying I’d be taken to the station lol. 10mins had passed and 4 guys came.
“3 of them in military uniform and one in civilian outfit. Immediately they asked what was going on , that was when I told them who I was. And the dynamic of the whole situation changed. Now the police officers started acting nice and wants to listen smh
“I just told the military guys I wanna go back to my hotel. Capt Abdullah offered to have his boys take me but I declined. At that point I was just too upset. They helped flagged down a taxi and now I’m on my way as I typed this.”
The American soldier has vowed never to step back into the country for a long time to come, he said that in his 15 years abroad, he had never experience anything close to such assault and despair at the injustice of those who had fallen into similar situation but doesn’t know ‘the what button to press or who to call’ in such emergency.
By Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth
adeoye.o@thesubstancenews.com
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