Following the violence that greeted the #EndSARS protest, some policemen have expressed their anger on social media towards the killing of their colleagues.
Their reactions followed an open letter to the police on Facebook by a woman Safiya Musa who apologised on behalf of Nigerians on October 26.
Musa’s open letter was prompted by the absence of security operatives at their duty posts especially in Lagos, leading to traffic gridlock and breakdown of law and order.
She wrote partly in Pidgin: “Dear Nigeria Police Force, please we apologise on behalf of Nigerians who demonised you. They put everyone in the ‘bad eggs’ basket, and for this we say sorry.
“Now we know how important you guys are, and we’ve realized say no be all of una bad. Please stop vexing and help protect lives and properties whilst you get rid of the bad eggs amongst you.”
Several angry policemen reacted to the post in the comment section. Their posts have been edited for clarity.
Amos Odebiyi wrote: “Campaign after election, go and talk to your people killing police. Are we not human beings like them? God can never forgive them, because of dubious character in their mind, the criminals are controlling you. No problem, but let’s wait and see.”
Omohomoh Christiana said: “If they can bring back all the souls of the policemen they killed we will listen to apology.”
Akusuk Peter also wrote: “Nigeria Police is only a product of bad governance, why going after us, killing us like animals, humiliating even the dead bodies? Those killing policemen and looting are the same people you called innocent protesters, so deal with it please.”
Alabi Daniel simply said: “No we are not coming out, we are going to remain in our station.”
During a news conference on Tuesday, Lagos Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu released the names of six policemen killed in the violence.
Many Lagosians fear that the continued absence of security operatives including transport officials on the roads might lead to further breakdown of law.
Lagos police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, however, told TNG: “The development is strategic, we are on the road. Many of them (the police) are undergoing treatment. The Commissioner of Police will address the press over the issue.”
