The Periscope Literati
Policeman is a friend, it is said, the community should have to cherish the relationship to be able to subdue the deviant minded.
Some people do not consider policemen as friends but those to live a lasting mutual suspicion with.
“They ask us to drop something at checkpoints. They arrest us unnecessarily. They release suspects arrested; those who could bribe their way out. We’re being charged for bail when it should have been free of charge. They delay in response to distress calls untill the criminals left the scene…”
These have been the complaints. While the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Commend, Audu A. Madaki would not rule out the activities of some, considered as deviants in the police force as much as in any other profession, especially where quackery undermines ethical standards, he would only by way of response put this question; “have there been reports of the alleged shortchanges and they were not entertained?”
The Periscope reporter would not give any instance to challenge the CP who explained that it was only by registering complaints of the alleged excesses, where it existed that the command would get to act, with a view to sanitising the system as much as the fact that it is only when the public decides to divorce not to hold teneciously to “till death to we part” romance with the conspiracy of silence that insurgents, kidnappers and other criminals withing the society, could get to be fished out.
This was among the topics of conversation when the Periscope sought to know what ignited the Philanthropic spirit in the CP Madaki.
A patient relative testified that his patient has benefitted from the financial interventions of CP Madaki while on admission at the Federal Medical Centre FMC, Yola.
“He came alone and not in Police unform. He went round bed after bed to commiserate with the patients and dropped an envelope on every bed. It was money.
“We didn’t know who he was until he left that the nurses on duty told us it was the commissioner of police Adamawa state command.
“The CP visited his patient on admission and extended the visit to other patients, we were told.
“We thank him and seek for Allah’s blessings in everything he does,” a patient relative whose patient has since been discharged said.
A staff of the State Specialist Yola said the CP used to extend similar interventions to patients at the health facility.
Other people around the state capital would say that the CP has been contributing to the social welfare of some families unknown to him and that he would not want his interventions publicised.
Well it was made public when the Periscope reported the NUJ appreciation letter to the CP for donating a Plasma TV, signed by the association’s state chairman. The letter as was earlier published reads:
“NUJ wishes to sincerely express its appreciation for donating a 32 LED TV Colour Model Television to the secretariat of the NUJ.
“Sir, this kind gesture will go a long way in further cementing the earlier existing cordial relationship between the police command and the journalists in Adamawa…”
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The CP explained that he was simply either exercising social responsibility or corporate social responsibility to the host community. The spirit, which he said contributed in building cordiality, cooperation and synergy between and among professionals. It diffused mutual suspicion.
When asked his take on what would strengthen and make a lasting interpersonal and interprofessional relationship, the CP said the only way relationship could be strengthened “is by doing the right thing, living a legitimate life and honouring the rules of engagement.