Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, conducted a social experiment by dressing as a civilian and passing through police checkpoints at around 11:50 p.m.
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Hundeyin said he passed through the first and second checkpoints, adding that his “papers weren’t even asked for.”
As he was being cleared at a checkpoint after he smiled, Hundeyin made an effort to emphasize how to interact with police officers on the road in a pleasant manner, saying “respect is reciprocal” and adding that people should not be needlessly hostile.
Hundeyin shared his road trip with the police on his verified Twitter account late Thursday, revealing that officers asked him to give them “something.”
He tweeted, “I finally carried out my social experiment. I drove around Ikeja at about 11:50pm, in mufti, in a private car. I passed through two police points. I spent five seconds at the first without a word from the police officer. He simply waved me on.
“I spent thirty seconds at the second. Officer: You be Uber? Me: No. it’s my personal car. Officer: Find me something na. Me: I no get anything. Officer: See as you fine. Find me something na. Me: (silence). Officer: Oya, dey go.
“On both occasions, immediately I was flagged down, I switched on the cabin light and wound down the glass on my side. I greeted first. In addition to this, in the second scenario, I smiled and deliberately appeared friendly.
“Note: They did not recognise me; neither did I identify myself. It never got to that. Papers weren’t even asked for. I am positive there are many people with similar experiences out there. Different strokes for different folks, I know. One thing is sure, however.
“Respect is reciprocal. Appreciate those who stand out there all day and night for lesser pay. Don’t be condescending. Don’t be unnecessarily aggressive. Don’t be docile too. Always be firm with your rights. And don’t resort to taking the laws in your hands.
Utopia does not exist anywhere. Please report any bad eggs, and we will continue to cleanse the system. I wanted to share my social experiment. Next time, I’ll experiment with the variables.
He did, however, clarify that this was not meant to discredit or trivialize the negative experiences that some motorists and commuters experienced. “Absolutely not,” he said emphatically.
In response to him, popular ENDSARS activist Rinu Oduala stated that Hundeyin was attempting to demonstrate that police harassment did not exist, claiming that the PPRO had never encountered police brutality in his life.
“You are not a young person struggling to make a living in Nigeria. You are a Police PRO who never experienced brutality in his life but needs to show that police harassment doesn’t exist.
“This planned public relation is failing, Oga Hundeyin. Go and re-strategise,” she replied in a tweet.
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