So this morning I rushed out to go get a shirt for my sisters wedding. I couldn't make the trip to Uyo for obvious reasons but was determined to play my role as Head of the Edgar Family hence my diligent search for a Shirt.
As we approached the Ikeja City Mall from the Alusa End, I saw a police blockade. I wasn't fazed and drove towards it.
The police man emerged. He looked tired. Dirty and shaven. He said I should go back but I explained and he said ok I'll let you pass.
I said, Wait! Let me give you something and he said, ' I didnt ask. I said dont worry. It's my free volition. I want to support the force. He said ok.
I came out of the Car and went to the Wema Bank ATM. It didnt work. By the time I came back, the police men had reached 5 in number all armed.
I wasnt scared. I just saw that they were tired. They were drawn out and I pitied them. They had been on duty for days fighting off the hoodlums and protecting the giant mall.
I said can one person follow me. I want to donate N10,000 to you people. You have tried. So they nominated someone to follow me.
On the way, he started crying. I was weak. He hadn't been paid in two months and his salary cannot even buy 2 bags of rice but had been given an order to shoot to kill those who where protesting for his welfare and also those who were hell bent on looting and burn down the mall.
As we walked, I noticed the rest were keeping a safe distance but walking behind us lest their colleague runs away with the money. I smiled.
I begged him to share the money equally and he kept swearing that he would , still in tears.
I pitied him. A policeman of the federal republic, debased and dehumanised because he wanted to serve. What kind of life is this. He was now the enemy, derided, hunted to be killed simply because the system had turned him and thousands of them into sub humans.
We got to the ATM, I withdrew the N10,000 and handed to him. He kept insisting,' I didnt ask o. You dont have to give me o. Its your volition. Its voluntary.
I said yes. Yes. Yes. By this time both of us were crying. He called his wife that she shd come quick and collect N3k . That this is how he had been fending for his family. Through support from civilians.
He hugged me and asked after my name. I told him and said he was my brother.
We must love the police. They are a unique breed. We must support them and must not wait for Government. We shd set up funds to cater for them, their health, welfare of their families and give them back their pride.
This to me is the quick fix to this problem. As for me going forward, anytime I see a band of policemen, I will stop, greet them politely, and if there is a restaurant near buy them food and if there is a supermarket around buy them provisions. Except I dont have.
The police going forward is my new adopted family.
Let's rebuild Nigeria little by little.
Duke of Shomolu
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