Empathy is a trait built into the human character but it appears to be gradually losing its place among some Nigerians, especially when it involves men of the Nigeria Police Force.
A symptom of this played out on Thursday when a yet-to-be identified police officer was reportedly knocked down by a hit-and-run driver around the Ilubirin Estate along the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) had tweeted some photos showing the police officer sitting by the roadside with bruises on his face and hands, noting that “this has led to a serious traffic backlog towards third mainland bridge.”
But the post only received few retweets more than 30 minutes after the traffic agency shared it, prompting the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, to condemn alleged uncaring attitude of the general public when police officers are on the receiving end of something unpleasant.
“35 mins and just 7 retweets,” Hundeyin tweeted on Thursday, adding “Flip this, let it be a police van involved in hit and run and watch the retweets increase exponentially. Same way the many daily good deeds of the police are shunned, giving the false impression it’s all about negativity and mediocrity.”
35 mins and just 7 retweets.
— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) January 5, 2023
Flip this, let it be a police van involved in hit and run and watch the retweets increase exponentially.
Same way the many daily good deeds of the police are shunned, giving the false impression it’s all about negativity and mediocrity. https://t.co/gPTuY1SH9n
But responding to the Lagos PPRO, a twitter influencer, Kelvin Odanz, said he hates policemen and cannot assist a dying officer because of his past experiences with them.
“If I see a policeman dying by the roadside and needing help, God in heaven knows I will not help. I will jump and pass.
“I hate you guys. All of you Nigerian policemen. My experience with you guys have (sic) left me very bitter. Even you Mr. Ben, I hate you. You guys irritate me, Odanz said, to which Hundeyin responded: “This post is heartbreaking. The cheering in the comment section is more heartbreaking.”
This post is heartbreaking. The cheering in the comment section is more heartbreaking. ☹️ https://t.co/QevlicO8TW
— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) January 5, 2023
Related video