Law and Disorder: Nigerians Express Disgust At Agencies’ Turf War Over Emefiele By Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah
Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions to the dramatic clash between the DSS and prison officers over the custody of Godwin Emefiele, the former CBN governor. Some find the incident humorous but also see it as a show of shame and a painful display of power struggle.
Many interpret the altercation as both agencies vying for potential financial inducements from Emefiele, which reflects poorly on the federal government agencies.
While some individuals understand that the DSS might be carrying out its duty to protect a high-profile individual like Emefiele, others see the prison officials as wanting to take over custody of this valuable “guest” or “potential inmate.”
Nevertheless, Nigerians generally agree that the public display of infighting tarnishes the image of both agencies and is not in line with the vision of working in synergy as emphasized by the President in his inaugural speech.
The consensus is that federal government agencies should handle such situations more discreetly, without allowing it to escalate into a public spectacle. Nigerians are eager for a renewed sense of hope in the country, and incidents like this only dampen their expectations.
Though most reactions have been rational and understanding of the complexities involved, there have been a few unfair remarks from some Nigerians, who may have used the incident to criticize the competency and integrity of the involved agencies.
Let’s consider the sentiments expressed by these two Nigerians and examine how millions of other citizens might feel in response to the incident.
Comment 1: “The scene was a complete embarrassment, seeing our own security agencies fighting like street thugs for custody of a prominent figure. It really undermines the trust and confidence we place in them to uphold law and order in our country.” – Chika, a resident of Lagos.
Comment 2: “I feel deeply let down and disheartened by the conduct of those responsible for maintaining law and order. We expect professionalism and restraint from our security forces, not a spectacle of power struggles. This incident has undoubtedly tarnished the reputation of both agencies.” – Ahmed, a resident of Abuja.
Millions of Nigerians are likely to share similar sentiments of disappointment and frustration after witnessing the altercation between the security agencies. Such scenes not only erode public trust in the institutions meant to protect and serve them but also give rise to a sense of embarrassment and concern over the state of law enforcement in the country.
Citizens expect the highest level of professionalism from these agencies and expect them to work together cohesively, rather than engaging in public disputes. The incident could trigger calls for accountability and a demand for better coordination and communication among government entities to prevent such occurrences in the future.
As an African proverb says, “When two brothers fight, a stranger inherits their father’s wealth.” In this context, the bickering between the DSS and prison officers only serves to weaken their positions and allows others to exploit the situation for personal gains.
Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah is the Chairman and CEO of Bush Radio Academy.
Source iReporteronline.
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