The leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has described her experience with the Nigerian police as unforgettable.
In an interview with The Free Press, she recounted how officers of the Nigeria Police Force allegedly stole her brother’s watch and shoes.
Badenoch has received severe backlash from several Nigerians, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who criticized her negative remarks about Nigeria.
Badenoch stated, “Giving people a gun is just a licence to intimidate,” referring to the Nigerian police.
She emphasized that her experience with the Nigerian police was very negative, contrasting it with a positive encounter with the British police when she moved to the UK.
She recalled, “The police in Nigeria will rob us,” and pointed out the challenges faced in a country where people often resort to theft.
“When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m Black, I say, well… I remember the police stole my brother’s shoes and his watch.”
In contrast, she praised the British police for their helpfulness during her own burglary incident in 2004, stating, “They were helpful before they eventually caught the person.”