The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has reiterated its displeasure over digital contents that berate the integrity of its institution while urging content creators to desist from creating such contents.
The Police made the call while disclosing it’s readiness to take disciplinary actions against a popular Nigerian skit maker, Abdulgafar Abiola popularly known as Cute Abiola.
The Police said it will investigate and possibly prosecute the skit maker over two of his recent skits which the police considers a deliberate act against the Nigerian Police Force.
Cute Abiola had in two separate videos shared on his social media pages, portrayed an officer of the NPF as one who takes bribes from motorists on the highway.
In one of the videos, the actor who played the role of a Police officer asked a motorist for his particulars which the motorist provided. The police then requested that the motorist “found him something” (give him money), which he also did. However, as soon as the Police officer noticed that the money given to him was taken from a local calabash containing a red piece of cloth, he began to insist that the motorist take back his money but the motorist would not oblige as he threatened the police officer that he would die within 24hours if he dropped the money.
In the second video, the same actor who played the role of a police officer in the other video, stopped a motorist who he suspected was a fraudster and requested money from him to enable him and his men purchase Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol for the Police patrol car they were using. He claimed that they had exhausted the petrol in the Police van and due to the high cost of petrol in the country, they could not “fuel” the car.
But when the motorist failed to give him money, claiming that he didn’t have, the Police officer became agitated and immediately requests to see his papers.
The police officer was again disappointed when the documents were complete but still caused a scene until the motorist threatened to make a live video of him on social media.
Both videos have since attracted the attention of the Police force who threatened to take disciplinary actions against the popular skit maker while reminding the public that “the NPF had already warned skit makers and filmmakers to desist from desecrating its uniform or accoutrements.”
Via its official Twitter handle, the NPF wrote:
“In as much as the law grants Nigerians the right to enjoy their fundamental human rights, the same law prohibits an individual, under whatever guise, from rubbishing the police institution or grossly violating its provisions with regards to the use of uniforms.
“We, therefore, vehemently condemn the contemptuous act displayed by comedian Abdulgafar Abiola, popularly known as “Cute Abiola,” in two recent skits posted on his social media handles on 20th and 24th July, 2023. The skits in question show a highly disrespectful and derogatory portrayal of the police uniform, an action that is in direct violation of Section 251 of the Criminal Code and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law. Such acts are not only offensive but also undermine the integrity and dignity of the men and women who wear the uniform in service to the nation.
“Abdulgafar Abiola will be investigated and possibly prosecuted for his deliberate acts as the NPF had already warned skit makers and filmmakers to desist from desecrating its uniform or accoutrements. The Force is committed to upholding the sanctity of the uniform and will pursue due legal process to ensure accountability for any individual or entity that seeks to bring disrepute to the uniform or the institution it represents. We call on all members of the public, including media personalities, to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly and avoid engaging in actions that could erode public trust in our revered law enforcement institutions.”
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