By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos.
The Nigeria Police Force may suffer shortage of personnel soon if policemen are not accorded due respect and regard by the society.
A retired Chief Superintendent of Police and former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ikotun Division, CSP Johnson Adagba, who sounded the note of warning pointed out that policemen are most times treated as outcast by the society they sacrifice their lives to protect.
He therefore, called for an attitudinal change and urged the society to embrace the police at least for their sacrifice at ensuring a peaceful and crime free society.
CSP Johnson Adagba gave the admonition in an exclusive interview with New Nigerian Newspapers at the weekend in Lagos.
Adagba, who retired on November 1, 2023, after 35 years meritorious service, beamoned the inhumane attitude of most Nigerians towards policemen.
Pointing out that they are most times treated as an outcast, the former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ikotun Police Station, warned that the Nigeria Police Force may suffer shortage of personnel if policemen are not accorded their deserved respect by the society.
Emphasising that Nigerian policemen do perform excellently well outside the country, winning laurels and treated with honour, the Badagry born ex- super cop wondered why same treatment is not enjoyed back home.
He noted that the hatred for policemen was not fashionable in the olden days, which elicited his interest in the job, adding that many young men wouldn’t have lived to joined the Force then because there were lots of job opportunities.
His words, ” There’s need for attitudinal change from Nigerians towards the Police. Most people see policemen as valueless beings and of no use to the society. They see Policemen as what the Igbos called “Ozu”.
” It is a thing of joy wearing the colour of the country’s security agency, it’s a pride to serve ones fatherland. We never had a feeling that it will later turn against us. If it was like this in the past, we wouldn’t have love to joined because there were lots of job opportunities then to choose from.
” Today, when you wear the police uniform, the next person sees you as an enemy and that’s why they kill policemen anyhow. But if a policeman mistakenly kills someone in the course of discharging his lawful duty, the whole world will call for his head, then the issue of human rights comes in. But when a policeman is killed, nobody talks about human rights as if policemen do not also have human rights too”.
Speaking further, the retired but not tired police chieftain posited that he had no regret serving in the Police Force, saying the job offered him a lot of exposure, experience and respect from the society.
” I feel happy serving my fatherland because the job exposed me to a lot of things and I gained a lot of experiences. The society respects me. When I also pulled out of service, my people received me back home with joy, honoured me and I became an illustrious son. They were proud that I represented them well. The police work offered me the opportunity to travel to many countries. I thank God that ” I saw, conquered and returned home alive”, retired CSP Adagba enthused.
Asked when is the appropriate time to start preparing for retirement life, CSP Adagba popularly called JayJay, advised all policemen irrespective of rank to start preparing for retirement as soon as they start work.
His words, ” Get yourself prepared against your retirement and the preparation starts now. Save for the rainy days”.
