In a curious move, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has banned the use of point-of-sale terminal machines, and other mobile money transaction devices within police stations and other police facilities across the country.
The NPF said the ban followed public outcry on alleged “illegal and illicit transactions through ‘point-of-sale’ (POS) machine operators and connivance with certain police operatives.”
This is a reiteration of the ban. The statement alludes to an earlier ban of the same equipment. Evidently the earlier ban was not respected as much as it should have been, with NPF Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi noting:
…some commands and formations [of the NPF] continue to flout this regulation
Adejobi referred to the risk of sensitive information being compromised and the ‘facilitation of illicit activities’. The specifics of how these illicit activities are happening remain scanty. One is left to guess that the problem is widespread. Stemming it has proven to be a challenge that the Nigeria Police Force would rather not confront head on.
Sadly, African countries really like banning. Whenever we Africans lose control of something, we ban it.
In 2013, the Kenyan government banned the movie, The Wolf of Wall Street, ostensibly to protect the delicate moral fabric, never mind that our moral fabric was already stolen by the politicians. I actually had no intention of watching the movie. Scratch that, in fact, I first heard of the movie when I read about the ban.
Promptly I channelled my inner Liam Neeson, saying to myself.
I don’t know why this movie has been banned. I will look for it. I will find it. And I will watch it.
And so, I did. Suffice it to say there was nothing that I had not seen in other movies and/or in real life. I was quite underwhelmed. I was expecting my innocence to be ruined. However, I made a mental note that should I ever find myself in a party where quaaludes (methaqualone) are being served, I will safely play the role of observer.
I suspect many Kenyans watched the movie because of the ban. Forbidden fruit is delicious.
Back in Nigeria, if electronic and mobile money services are being abused by people in the police force, perhaps ferreting out such folks would help. The NPF should also seal every loophole they currently use. That way, the services, which undoubtedly simplify innocent people’s lives, can continue being used.
I guess that would call for actual work. That is why it is not on the cards. It is easier to ban and bandage. One day, an African state will ban the act of banning!
