The Bullies In Khaki Uniforms
One thing that always baffles me is how we got ourselves to a situation where we get bullied by men who supposedly should be protecting and defending innocent citizens of this great nation. Every time I come across a civilian being bullied and beaten to coma by some men in uniform, I just feel sad. The entire situation baffles me and I know I am not the only person that feels this way. However, it would be strange if you felt otherwise because I think it is absolutely out of order.
When I write things that bother on the heart; I believe I speak the minds of millions of people who have had to cope with pressure and bullying. Nigeria belongs to every one of us for crying out loud; and no one has the right to lord it over anyone.
The reason we are where we are cannot be far from the many years we were ruled and overwhelmed by men in uniform. How can you describe a situation where a family man gets beaten by a man whose uniform and salary he also contributed towards as normal? A lot is wrong with this country because people who should protect against attacks from the enemy are exact ones exposing us to attacks.
Men who should protect and execute the law are exact ones conniving with enemies of this nation to ridicule the law. I feel sick watching those big and small commercial busses confidently driving against the traffic on our major highways just because they have the backing of some guys in uniform. It hurts badly seeing the military being called to mediate or bully civilians just because we have got connection. Is it not a shame that some of us could just pick up our mobile phones and call our friends in uniform to help us bully some of our neighbours?
You hit someone’s car while on your way home from work or somewhere, and the next minute he picks up his mobile phone and calls his friend in the military; what kind of a country is that? I am not writing this piece to lampoon anyone or make mockery of the system; but I am dong this to arouse our consciousness.
The relationship that exists between the men in khaki and civilians is something to worry about because it is not just normal. Perhaps, an orientation is urgently needed to put things in the right or proper perspective. A situation where the civilian always bypasses the constitutional and legal way of resolving issues with his neighbour to take laws into his hands is like a time bomb waiting to explode.
The thing is people don’t seem to understand that there are far-reaching consequences especially for the image of our dear country when images and videos of men in uniform beating civilians are televised on international media.
Is it not an irony that some orderlies attached to some military and even civilian leaders are used on assignments different from what they were assigned to? We have heard stories; and I mean true stories of how orderlies have manhandled civilians who dare go near or disrespect their bosses.
Yes the military is already doing something about this; but things must be done quickly because the sight of men in uniform sitting in front seat of some commercial busses driving against the traffic is awful.
Of course, no one is above the law, and that is how things should be; but people laugh it off whenever you say things like that. The sooner we stopped this thing, the better for every one of us. Imagine a little child watching his father being severely tortured by some men in uniform? How would that child feel? Would he not weep endlessly? It is the abyss we have led ourselves into; and something has to be done to change the situation.
We all should learn to settle minor issues without inviting the presence of some military guys. Let’s learn to leave issues that are beyond us to the police instead of calling some military friends of ours; Lol, well maybe the police one is even worse .it is the best we can do to leave in peace with one another.
