SIR: “De-kitted.” Lately, this word gained currency in the country following the sacking of two policemen for corruption-related activities.

In 2017, the National Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime declared the Nigeria Police as the most corrupt institution in the country. In 2019, the World Internal Security and Police Index also ranked the Nigeria Police as the worst in Africa. It is sad that policemen who are supposed to treat the infirmity of corruption have become the dinosaurs of the unworthy act.

But then, the question is: Why have other policemen not learnt from the punishment of their peers who were dismissed for corruption and extortion? Or, put differently, why are Nigerian policemen hellbent on not abiding by the message of their motto, “Police Is Your Friend”?

A factor that continues to contribute to their unending corruption is their low salaries and poor working conditions.

Aside from the 2012 subsidy protest dubbed “Occupy Nigeria,” in which Nigerians spoke out in unison against increase in petrol price under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, they had hardly come together in a strong nationwide protest until the EndSARS protest of 2020, which nearly ripped the country apart. Aggrieved Nigerians could not continue to bear the extortion and ordeal they faced daily from policemen who were supposed to protect their rights but extorted them and caused pain.

Commendably, the EndSARS protesters did not only seek reformation and rehabilitation of policemen, part of their agitation was “increment in the salaries of the policemen,” as little or insufficient pay could be a reason, they go about extorting citizens. Research has it that Nigerian policemen are one of, if not the least paid in the world.

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Undeniably, the working conditions of Nigerian policemen are quite ignominious. Many of those who roam the streets and extort citizens would have found pleasure in staying at their stations if they were good and conducive. The conditions of many police stations, police vehicles, uniforms, and ammunition are deplorable and unbefitting of the policemen who put their lives at risk in the protection of citizens.

Over the years, there have been several promises of salary increases for the police. The Federal Government, State Governments, the Senate, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and appropriate bodies should not only pass bills or make promises regarding increasing the salaries of the police.  Implementation is critical.

A situation in which constables earn about ¦ 45,000 or ¦ 50,000 in a crippled economy is not only bad but laughable. Some days ago, some policemen took to the streets of Kwara State to protest non-payment of their 16 months’ salaries. Denying policemen their salaries can lead to bad consequences, one of which is that they would transfer their aggression and strike innocent citizens with the venom of anger.

While we may not justify policemen that are extortionists, we also can’t turn a blind eye to their paltry salaries and awful working conditions. Also, their recruitment should not just be based on academic merit only; character and psychological checks need to be fully considered, as no sane policeman will go about being an agent of extortion. In addition, talks, seminars, and conferences that constantly remind them of their responsibilities and public expectation, will, without doubt, reduce corruption among them.

Dismissing policemen who extort without giving those in service better working conditions will only turn out to be like sowing seeds of discord; you squash one and another germinates. And sadly, these dismissals will only continue to add to the hunger and unemployment rate, and even shorten the number of officers of an institution which has already fallen short in figure, and has about 350,000 or 370,000 for a population of 200 million plus, as opposed to the United Nations recommendation of 340: 100,000 police-to-citizen ratios.

The NPF should not just focus on the shadow while acting blind to the substance. They should first draw their officers close with friendly hands before reprimanding them with iron hands.  Without doubt, when policemen receive better salaries and work in a conducive atmosphere, they would be less vulnerable to extortion.

• Hashim Yussuf Amao, Ibadan, Oyo State