By Ibironke Ariyo
The non-governmental organization Initiative Against Kidnapping, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse and Drug Abuse (AKH-TRACADA) has called for a thorough investigation into a video circulating online showing Nigerian police officers receiving money from a Chinese national.
In a statement signed Friday in Abuja by its founder, Primate Belonwu Ezeanyaeche, he described the video as a calculated attempt to undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s security agencies.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Police Force has warned privileged individuals and organizations against actions that could undermine the integrity of the police force and damage its reputation.
NAN reports that the warning was issued after a video surfaced in the media showing police officers receiving money from a Chinese citizen.
Ezeanyaeche, who was also the NGO’s executive director, defended the Nigerian police and called for a thorough investigation into the motives behind the recording.
The NGO director expressed his disappointment with the incident, which he described as a “deliberate act of provocation and humiliation” of the Chinese citizen.
He questioned the circumstances under which the video was recorded and suggested that the officials involved may not have been aware of the true nature of the meeting.
However, he raised concerns about the possibility of a hidden agenda, saying the video may have been deliberately leaked to foreign media to portray Nigerian institutions in a negative light.
“We condemn the Chinese attitude toward a friendly gesture by the Nigerian government, especially the Nigerian police and the Nigerian security system in general.
“It is an insult, a lack of respect, and a lack of consideration for the country in which this Chinese man and his family live.”
“The video circulating on social media is not only suspicious but also appears to be staged to mock Nigerian law enforcement agencies and exploit the country’s hospitality.
As far as we know, the officers were on regular duty and were reportedly called to a meeting without prior instructions. It would be unfair to conclude that they were involved in any wrongdoing.
If this video was sent to the Chinese media, we must ask ourselves: What message was intended? Who benefits from these images? This indicates an organized attempt to undermine our security agencies,” he said.
The head of the NGO asked the National Security Advisor (NSA) to investigate the Chinese national’s activities, including the legality and purpose of his stay in Nigeria.
He also called on the Nigerian police to review and possibly revoke all security privileges granted to the Chinese national, stressing that respect for national institutions must be reciprocal.
My question remains: If a Chinese national has this number for “services,” how much does he have left for other people and the public?
“We need to know what businesses he is involved in, who he associates with, and whether his activities are in line with Nigerian laws and values.”
“No foreign citizen should enjoy the protection of Nigerian security agencies while simultaneously treating these institutions with contempt,” he emphasized.
Ezeanyaeche, however, cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the officials involved and urged the public to consider the broader implications and potential manipulation behind such viral content.
He also reiterated the organization’s commitment to protecting the sovereignty, dignity, and reputation of Nigerian law enforcement agencies.
“It is easy to vilify police officers, but we must not forget how easy it is to alter, manipulate, or distort these images. Let us conduct a thorough investigation before condemning our own people,” he said.
