The constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria duly provides for the Nigerian police council in s.157 (specifically in sub L) and the police are charged to carry out the duties and functions provided in S.4 of the Police act, 2020. Some of such duties are detection of crime, prevention of crime and apprehension of offenders (S.4 of the Police Act, 2020).

In order or carry out these statutory functions of detection and prevention of crime and apprehension of criminals. the police officers are to go some length which include conducting of search on individuals, conducting of search on peoples homes and conducting search on peoples properties and invading people’s privacies but this extent of which they could go should be placed side by side with s.37 of the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, which provides for the protection of the privacy of citizens, their homes and properties hence placing a limit on the power of the police officers to conduct search on citizens, their homes and properties.

In other to reconcile the power of the police to invade people’s private lives in the discharge of their statutory functions, conditions where placed to restrict such power of police and it also makes sure that the police officers doesn’t abuse the power of invading people’s privacy in the guise of detection and prevention of crime and apprehension of criminals. Some of the conditions a police officer must fulfill before he can legally conduct search on individuals, their homes or their properties include;

1. The police officer must have a strong and reasonable intel that the person is a criminal or the property or home is used for criminal activities or that the property is a stolen property.
2. Petition must have been made against that person or the person’s home or property.
3. The police officer must obtain a search warrant against that person or property from a court of competent jurisdiction.

These are three sacrosanct conditions (amongst others) a police officer must fulfill before he can legally conduct a search on a person, a person’s home or the person’s property. Anything other than this, the purported search carried out by the police officer is an illegal activity, abuse of power and ridicule of the police force and he can be punished for doing such if reported.

I almost concluded that bank cum highway robbery had become a thing of the past in every facet of Nigeria not until the second quarter of 2018 when my likes were proven wrong.

In the period in review – precisely on Thursday, 5^th April 2018 – in broad daylight, a gang of well-armed robbers serially invaded five different commercial banks alongside a micro-finance bank in Offa town situated in Kwara State, the home State of the then Nigeria’s number three citizen Sen. Bukola Saraki who was the President of the Nigerian Senate.

The affected financial institutions included Eco, Guaranty Trust, First, Union, and Zenith banks. The firms weren’t just invaded but equally robbed by the invaders. In the process, many were reportedly murdered, several individuals maimed and injured while others managed to escape for their dear lives. It’s noteworthy that some of the police personnel on duty were part of those brutally killed.

It was gathered that the culprits’ ammunition outshined that of the policemen guarding the various banks. According to the ugly report, the robbers were said to be armed with firearms like machine gun, magazine and other related weapons whereas the police officers could at most boast of AK-47 and its likes.

Upon investigations, the police thereafter informed that some of the criminals had been apprehended as the government vowed to ensure every person involved in the dastardly act was duly arrested and prosecuted without much ado. This implies that as other suspects were still seemingly at large, there was apparently no hidden place for each of them.

It was indeed hard to believe that in the contemporary Nigerian society, six different financial institutions could be successfully invaded and robbed in broad daylight by a certain group of miscreants. It became more mind-boggling when realized that the disaster took place in an era when the apex government had ostensibly considered security as priority.

Whatever the case might be, it’s pertinent to painstakingly dissect the Offa incident towards reaching a tangible conclusion. Every discerning mind could comprehend that the affected firms were not robbed simultaneously.

It was also very crucial to take into cognizance that the incident took place amidst the digital age; an era when even a kid could easily assess telecommunication; a period that makes a distance amounting to various kilometres seem so short.

The above observation, as rightly raised by me as at then, is trying to notify us that the concerned security outfits were so sluggish or reluctant towards responding to the robbery attack.

Let’s assume the security men on duty were overpowered as claimed. But it was difficult to assume or believe, as the case may be, that the various security authorities domiciled in the affected State were equally engulfed by the attacked.

For six banks to be robbed one after the other was enough indication that there was a serious lapse as regards curtailing the numerous lingering security challenges not just in Kwara State but across the lengths and breadth of Nigeria. The pace in which the police respond to distress call was exactly the worries raised by the teeming Nigerians when the incident came to public notice.

However, since apportioning blames couldn’t solve the societal plight or could rather result in further crisis, there was then need for the concerned citizens to focus on the way forward.

It was indisputable that no existing bank in Nigeria lacked the Closed Circuit Television (CCT) camera as at then, hence the need to concur with the government’s avowal that there was no hidden place for the culprits.

Though the said device would serve as an aid in capturing each of the suspects, those that were already apprehended by the Police were meant to further assist in providing the consequential details surrounding the ones that were still on the run.

More so, while analyzing the matters arising of the ugly incident, I unequivocally stated then that for apt deterrent to be served, adequate prosecution mustn’t be overlooked. Hence, the crusade wasn’t supposed to stop at just capturing the entire fugitives.

The concerned authorities were expected to further ensure that the jury’s verdict was duly served, and such needn’t be delayed if they were truly determined to serve a placebo to the people.

It’s worrisome and disturbing that till this moment, no one has been convicted as regards that cruel incident that transpired in Offa a few years back. This no doubt signifies enough reason to worry over the Nigeria’s Justice System and other related institutions therein.

Away from justice, the governments at all levels in Nigeria are required to lay emphasis on how best the personnel that have been mandated to safeguard the people’s lives and property can be well-armed with a view to rendering effective and efficient services in their respective jurisdictions.

Above all, the benefitting companies domiciled in any part of the country must on their part endeavour to materially, and otherwise, support the security outfits – particularly the police – so there won’t be any room for excuse when any unfortunate and unforeseen circumstance befalls them. They shouldn’t leave all responsibilities for the government, because the latter cannot handle it alone.

It is part of the Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR) of these firms, especially the financial ones that are more in need of security services, to from time to time extend hands of fellowship to the law enforcement agencies in question, mainly in the area of equipment procurement and workers’ incentives.

It’s therefore needless to reiterate that all hands are expected to be on deck towards boosting the country’s security system, as we eagerly wait for the needed justice to be duly served without further ado.

The last time I checked, Nigerians in their entirety could not wait to embrace the 2023 general elections which are already by the corner. Before now, they waited patiently to witness this epochal moment.

As Nigerians in their number are basked in the ecstasy that accompanies the long awaited national ritual, before they eventually embrace the D-day, there are prime inevitable factors that mustn’t be swept under the carpet by the key actors of the impending exercise.

In any political clime across the globe, the major actors remain the political parties, electoral umpire and the electorate, hence that of Nigeria wouldn’t be exceptional. These three groups are mainly the reason for this piece, though the stance of the security outfits cannot be possibly overlooked.

It’s noteworthy that, according to record available to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), countless registered political parties would be participating in the elections come 2023, and each of these platforms is entitles to contestants.

These parties alongside their respective flag-bearers need to take into cognizance that their activities before, during and after the polls will go a long way in communicating to the electorate what they are really made up of and their real intentions.

The various parties are the main players in the pitch, hence the way and manner they play the ball as well as dribble their rivals would determine the amount of followers to be attracted to them. It suffices to enthuse that if they refused to play well or reasonably, they are liable to lose millions of fans among the spectators.

On the ballot papers meant for the contest, what is legibly written are the names/acronyms of the various political parties vying for the available positions, not the names of the recognized contestants. Thus, political wise, the electorate cast their respective votes in support of the parties as disclosed on the ballot papers, not the politicians or flag-bearers.

Acknowledging the above indisputable fact, each of the parties are expected to conduct itself in a manner where people would see it as the most suitable party for the posts being contested for. It’s noteworthy that the way they dress would surely determine how the viewers would address them.

It is primarily the duty of the parties to market or advertise the aspirants in a mature pattern, to enable them attract large and good number of prospective buyers to their shops. If the shops or products are not looking attractive and sound, no reasonable buyer will walk up to them or be moved by the wares let alone making a purchase. There are no two ways about it.

On their part, the electorate must be mindful of the product they intend to purchase. They must note that “all that glitters is not gold”. That a certain shop or ware is very attractive doesn’t actually mean the content is good or sound enough for consumption. This implies that the electorate must not only be watchful, but equally careful and cautious.

As the parties go about marketing their various flag-bearers, the electorate need to be prepared to get very close to the aspirants with a view to assessing them thoroughly and carefully towards ascertaining the qualities they truly possess.

So, don’t be deceived. And, in order not to be carried away by deceit, you need to know what you really want or desire. One who doesn’t know what he/she actually desires would be easily cajoled into purchasing the wrong product or brand. You must, therefore, discover your desire and stick to it.

Inter alia, the electorate are also urged to realize their needs. There is a great dichotomy between want and need. What a certain set of people want might only quench their personal/individual thirsts, but their need will surely satisfy the urge of the entire constituency, state, or country, as the case may be. Hence, one’s need supersedes his/her want. You are by this exegesis enjoined to go only for your needs at all cost.

The electoral umpire, the INEC, is not left out. You are the referee in this pitch, thus shouldn’t be reminded that all eyes are on you. You are, therefore, required to settle any score without sentiments. Your neutrality must not be compromised or in doubt. You must remain neutral, impartial and strict, no matter whose ox is gored.

Do not mortgage the future of our constituencies, states, or country for a mere pot of porridge yam. Posterity will undoubtedly judge you if you walk on the wrong path, and sooner and later, you would be disgraced in the public sphere. Be duly notified that no one will ever escape from the Law of Karma. It’s a law that has come to stay, hence absolutely nothing will truncate its existence.

Like I hinted earlier, the security outfits are equally part of this ritual. You have been contracted by the Nigerian people to ensure absolute calmness and peace as long as the exercise lasts, thus the citizenry aren’t expecting any excuses from you irrespective of the circumstance. If you ceased to be patriotic in carrying out the consignment, then you aren’t good or needed for the job.

Before we embrace the long awaited polls, we mustn’t be reminded that Nigeria as a country doesn’t need second best, but second to none.