Some analysts have called on members of the Nigeria Police to join the fight against corruption in the country, adding that their active involvement in whistle-blowing on official corruption can help unravel massive looting and allow the federal government to recover looted funds hidden around the country. The argument is based on the fact that the Police are usually involved in the movement of large sums of cash around Nigeria. Given the general public perception of the Police as a very corrupt organisation, do you think the Police can really enhance the whistle-blowing process in the country?
ABIMBOLA AKOSILE
* To say that the police are corrupt is an understatement. Police can and will never enhance whistle-blowing in the anti-graft war. It will amount to using thieves to chase thieves. In fact, the whistle-blowing in the fight against corruption should seriously be on the police.
– Mrs. Rosemary Nwaebuni, Asaba, Delta State
* The Police cannot in any way enhance whistle-blowing but ordinary citizens, who mingle freely with all the strata of the society, can. They have since lost the confidence of the public in information management and largely compromised their professional integrity.
– Mr. A. Abba, Financial Consultant, Kaduna
* If they are guaranteed a cut from the recovered money, I think they will participate actively.
– Mr. Duru Nnamdi, Abuja
* Police cannot enhance the whistle-blowing process, except those at the top are weeded out, as charity begins at home, and then government equips them with the necessary working tools and incentives to meet the contemporary challenges, backed by relevant laws to protect them from bias.
– Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna
* No, the Nigeria Police personnel of today are avaricious, corrupt, fraudulent and often unreliable. Evidence abound of their compromising acts including escapes from police custody, extortions, abetting electoral malpractices, robberies, murder, kidnapping, colluding with some criminal lawyers to subvert justice e.t.c. These disqualify our Police from such a sensitive and trust-dependent responsibility as whistle-blowing.
– Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State
* It cannot happen in Nigeria.
– Mr. Gboyega Ojuolape, Abuja
* The Nigerian Police is patently corrupt and we all know it. However, self-interest is a strong motivating factor. If an individual policeman knows he can get a cut of the recovered loot, he’ll be ready to support the policy.
– Mr. John Ogunsemore, Lagos State
* Yes, the Police have successfully moved monies from one location in Nigeria to another during emergency, elections e.t.c. They are familiar with the civil society terrain and are the best bet for collecting, sieving and transmitting vital information to the appropriate quarters. Whistle-blowing requires genuine confidentiality and full protection against evil looters. The Police have been dependable all along. We must cash in on this vital virtue for best results.
– Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos
* First, let me say that the Nigeria Police impressed me this (last) week. I was personally informed via SMS of the Valentine Day’s counter-terrorism training. Sequel to this, I make bold to say the Nigeria Police Force is in a position to enhance all citizen-oriented programmes of government, whistle-blowing included.
– Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R. Resources, Apo, Abuja
* Very impossible.
– Miss Nana Opoku, Lagos State
* All Nigerians must be recruited into the on-going war against corruption as ‘Ethics Marshalls’. The public perception of the Police is unpleasant, yet it is a strategic public institution. The police could be cultivated to curb corruption since corrupt public officials usually employ them as security details in the safeguarding of slush funds. The Police must be reformed and personnel welfare given priority. Government must also ensure that the whistle-blowing incentive applies to police personnel who demonstrate the needed courage and patriotism.
– Amb. Rufus Aiyenigba, Director-General, Pro-Nigeria Group (P-NG), Abuja
* That is practically impossible.
– Mr. Ferdinand Mbagwu, Owerri, Imo State
* The Nigeria Police can enhance whistle-blowing with two conditions; firstly, the institution should be properly standardised with strict adherence to its principles. Secondly, their arrears and allowances should be paid on time. Unfortunately, the police too are very corrupt. The populace has lost confidence in them. The Federal Government should take proper measures on that. God bless Nigeria!
– Mr. Ayoola Imran, Ogbomosho South, Oyo State
* I don’t think the police can enhance whistle-blowing. They will use it to witch hunt innocent people, and they are never thorough.
– Mrs. Bridgeta Affiah, Warri, Delta State
* I think Nigeria Police can do it if the Federal Government restructures the institution and improves their welfare with all emoluments including robust health care programme, housing and good compensation in case of permanent disability/death during active service.
– Mr. Oyekanmi Oladele, Lagos State
* The Police Force are labelled as corrupted among the security agencies but there are good ones among them that are fit for EFCC work. For effective performances, we need proactive action of the EFCC to fight corruption seriously because our selfish leaders have drained the treasury. We must support PMB in fighting corruption so that we can move forward.
– Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State
* Only a new breed of Nigeria police would make the most of this, as our current policemen are acutely corrupt and would graciously abuse this opportunity.
– Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State
* Yes, the Police can enhance whistle-blowing in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, if they are successfully empowered by the relevant authorities. The Police are actively involved in movement of cash around the country and possess vital information. The five per cent cut of any recovered loot is a powerful incentive, but the identities of any police whistle-blower must be protected, just like any other citizen.
– Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State
* The Police can only kill and destroy whistle-blowing. In fact I pray that there can be a way to distance the Police from this juicy programme. They are too greedy to be trusted with anything in connection with money and should be left alone with their normal duties.
– Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna
* Change begins with me; change begins with the Police too. I believe in the ability of the Nigeria Police Force to fight corruption through whistle-blowing. We have competent hands in the Police force who are God-fearing and can effectively and efficiently help curb the menace of the chronic corruption in Nigeria.
– Mr. Samuel Akaahenda, Makurdi, Benue State
* The Police can help but I do think bankers have a great role to play also. Many of them (bankers) are disgruntled, under pressure, overworked and have knowledge or may be those handling the accounts holding these corrupt monies. If their confidentiality can be assured and the government can show Nigerians that those who blew the whistle on the Andrew and Dieziani cases have been paid the five per cent promised, then we will have a wave of new banker whistle-blowers.
– Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State
THE FEEDBACK
Yes, they can: 8
No, they cannot: 8
Others: 5
Radical tip: Add bankers too!
Total no of respondents: 21
Male: 16
Female: 5
Highest location: Lagos (7)
Next Week: Can Nigeria Achieve Local Food Sufficiency in 2017?
With the Federal Government’s renewed focus on agriculture as a viable alternative revenue source and greater involvement of young agri-preneurs in agri-processing, some analysts believe Nigeria can achieve local food sufficiency in 2017. However with problems of poor storage and influx of imported products like polished rice, packaged garri and yam flour, there are worries that local food sufficiency is still far from reality. To you, can Nigeria really achieve local food sufficiency in 2017?
Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (February 23 & Monday, February 27) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, March 2
