Popular comedian and actor, Debo Adebayo aka Mr Macaroni has recounted how a policeman threatened to kill him if he was a nobody.
He revealed this in a tweet on Sunday while lamenting the high-handedness of men of the Nigeria Police Force, after a video went viral showing a policeman begging a Spanish biker for money in Lagos.
Mr Macaroni said that his encounter happened at the Adeniji Police Station in Lagos Island.
Recall that the comedian led a protest against the reopening of the Lekki Toll Gate on February 13.
He was among 40 protesters nabbed by the police for disobeying a directive issued by the Lagos State Government against the protest.
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The state government quickly arraigned the suspects on charges bordering on disobeying a lawful order and violating COVID-19 protocols.,
They were granted N100,000 bail each.
Reacting to the extortion video, the comedian wrote, “Since our childhood days till now, This (bribery) has been the reputation of the Nigerian Police.
“All they care about is to collect money from you. It doesn’t matter whether you are a law-abiding citizen or you are a terrorist! Just give them money.
“Every day, there is always one negative report or the other about the Nigerian Police.
“The Police have turned themselves to criminals. Robbing us, oppressing us and doing everything in their power to make life miserable for the average Nigerian.”
A follower, Prince Adedigba Adeyinka, then urged him to use his platform to promote the nation’s institutions rather than constantly criticising the police.
Adeyinka wrote, “Dear Mr Macaroni, I know you have a larger audience. Why can’t you use that to promote institutions in your country instead of instigating your followers against the Police institution?
“Together we can move this country to a greater heights. Ire o! (Stay blessed).”
Replying, the comedian wrote, “I should promote the same police institution that oppresses Nigerians?
“Majority of your officers are just there to steal, rob, harass, brutalize and oppress the people. We see it happen everyday.
“You swore an oath to protect. Yet you kill and destroy. Zero conscience!”
Mr Macaroni then went into details of his own brutal experience with the police in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest.
“When I was at Adeniji police station, the police officers took turns to beat me up.
“They were even calling themselves to come and beat ‘Mr Macaroni’.
“They said in my life when next I hear police, I will run!
“One said if not that people would ask about me, he would have killed me.
“That very day, I swore never to stop using my platform to call out the evil that the Police do.
“If they can do that to someone people know, imagine what they do to hundreds of thousands of unknown Nigerians.
“We are in court though. We filed since last month. Aluta Continua.”