A question posed by a police spokesperson, Aliyu Giwa—What would make you trust the police more?—has triggered a flood of reactions from Nigerians, exposing deep frustrations and distrust toward the police institution.
Mr Giwa, who serves as the Force New Media Officer, shared the question on X (formerly Twitter), inviting feedback from users. What followed were replies ranging from sarcasm and outright ridicule including serious reform suggestions.
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The police spokesperson posted this on Wednesday, and as of the time of filing this story, it has garnered more than 2,000 comments and over 1,000 likes.
Shock, sarcasm and street-level honesty
Several users bluntly stated that trust in the police would improve only if officers stopped extortion and harassment, particularly at checkpoints.
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Others were openly dismissive, reflecting a deep-seated perception problem. For instance, Bolade Akinlawon, a legal practitioner, said he had “never trusted” the police. Another user commented that “nothing” could restore confidence in the institution.
Some commenters, however, noted that trust would improve if officers stopped asking for bribes.
Calls for real reform
Many responses pointed to serious structural concerns. Users called for better training, improved welfare, and modern equipment, arguing that an under-resourced force cannot deliver professional service.
One of those who commented said the police are not ready for his response. The user advised that the police prioritise better remuneration, “system-wide” strategic training and continuous retraining.
Calling for frequent orientation on the rule of law, the user also urged the institution to prioritise a “functioning police compliance unit with independent powers to investigate, sanction, discipline erring police officers and their bosses, top to bottom.”
“You guys should make sure to educate your personnel to allow a certain level of civility,” another commenter said. “Most Nigerian policemen are criminals protected by the government to perpetuate evil on innocent citizens. And you guys should strengthen your disciplinary system to be effective”
Others emphasised accountability, urging the police hierarchy to punish misconduct transparently. According to several commentators, public trust cannot grow unless erring officers are seen to face consequences.
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“Be swift with the prosecution of corrupt officers and reward the good ones,” another user stated. “[If] you see valid evidence that an officer is corrupt, act swiftly, no long processes, no waiting.”
There were also appeals for a change in attitude, with commentators stressing the need for officers to treat citizens with dignity and respect rather than suspicion or aggression.
Some respondents shared personal experiences of delayed response to distress calls, reinforcing concerns about reliability.
Others noted that while there may be dedicated officers within the system, public perception is shaped largely by negative encounters.
