By Dave Agboola
In an age where technology often serves as a double-edged sword, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) finds itself in an increasingly uncomfortable position, especially when it comes to smart glasses or being filmed.
Designed to augment reality and capture experiences seamlessly, these nifty devices are being leveraged by citizens to expose the very activities that have long plagued Nigeriaโs roadsโcorruption, extortion, and misconductโleaving the police scrambling to adapt to this new reality.
Take, for instance, the viral cases where enterprising citizens, armed with nothing but smart glasses, have successfully documented illegal activities involving police officers on major highways. Instances abound where motorists have recorded conversations with officers demanding bribes, clearly revealing the corrupt practices that often go unchecked on our roads.
One can imagine the weeping of NPF officials as videos of these encounters circulate on social media, exposing their less-than-illustrious dealings to the world, making them unwitting stars of a reality show none of us asked to watch.
This fear of exposure reached a comical peak recently when a team of police officers was filmed struggling to remove smart glasses from a driver during a routine roadblock. The sheer desperation on their faces was almost laughable as they grappled with the glasses, clearly aghast at the thought of being recorded.
What were they afraid of? The possibility of their overly aggressive tactics being caught on camera? The last thing they want is public proof of the โNigerian police experience,โ which can often involve aggressive demands for cash over compassion and service.
On few occasions that I had things to sort out at police stations these days, Iโve come to realise that you have to drop your phone at the gate before being allowed to carry out your transactions. I guess, it is the fear of being recorded. Isnโt this too paranoid of them?
And who can forget the confrontation between the police and activist journalist Omoyele Sowore? His fearless approach to issues of governance often meant that he faced the brunt of police intimidation. With smart glasses in tow, he effectively captured instances of police harassment, thereby turning the tables on those who wield their power like a baton of oppression. At some point, they even allegedly stole the glasses from him at their Abuja headquarters, in a protest meant to address issues that concern the police welfares! Intriguing?
For NPF officers, facing the likes of Sowore while he records the situation in high definition is akin to an episode of a high-stakes game show where the stakes are not just pride but accountability.
As the police grapple with the implications of being recorded right where they stand, they must come to terms with the reality that smart glasses and other recording devices are now part of the publicโs arsenal against their questionable practices. Rather than adapting by improving their conduct, the ongoing struggles reaffirm the fear and helplessness the NPF feels in the wake of citizen-led transparency initiatives.
In a nation desperate for change, perhaps the solution is not to fear the technology that puts them in the spotlight but to embrace it. If the Nigeria Police Force wishes to earn public trust and respect, they should welcome these smart glasses with open arms โ if only to ensure they are delivering the quality of service expected from them, rather than becoming unwitting stars in a series of unfortunate viral moments.
After all, in a world where every misstep can be caught on camera, itโs much easier to clean up oneโs act than to battle the inevitable โ because really, whatโs scarier than accountability? So, I ask again, why is Nigeria Police Force afraid of being filmed?
Dave writes from Lagos.
