By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A viral video showing some Chinese handing out naira notes to Nigerian policemen in a lined-up formation has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians expressing disappointment and calling for reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.
The footage, which circulated widely on Tuesday, captured the moment the officers, fully armed and in uniform, received cash from the foreign nationals in what appeared to be a coordinated and deliberate exercise.
The incident has drawn condemnation from a cross-section of Nigerians online, many describing it as embarrassing and disgraceful.
Reacting to the video, a user identified as @victorioussegun wrote, “I didn’t know when tears dropped from my eyes. This is the height of it all. So embarrassing. This is a national tragedy. If the Inspector General of Police does not tender his resignation, then we are done for it.”
Another user, @ayoakande, tagged President Bola Tinubu, urging him to disband the Nigeria Police Force and push for state policing.
“Sir, it’s time to disband the NPF and create state police. This is embarrassing. The IG should resign in shame,” he wrote.
Echoing similar sentiments, @harry_egwu remarked, “What a shame? Nigerian police is shameless.” While @amoscondy added, “They were boldly collecting the money while fully armed and even on camera. Embarrassing. Unprofessional.”
Some comments pointed to the broader implications of the act on Nigeria’s global image.
“Tomorrow, the government will complain about Nigerians demarketing Nigeria. But the government and its officials are solely responsible for Nigeria’s image abroad,” said @RuleofLawNG.
Another user, @Oladipupogb, questioned the ability of the officers to act impartially in the future.
“Let them just show us the same police in the world with this same embarrassment. So, if they commit a crime, will these police have the guts to arrest them?” he queried.
While many condemned the officers for receiving money from foreigners, others blamed systemic issues such as poor welfare and working conditions.
“We need to take care of our police officers better. It will help them to better. Police don show me shege before oooo and many of them does not deserve kindness. But many of also do,” wrote @oawaleola.
Meanwhile, a few defended the gesture.
User @MI6trigger argued, “There’s nothing wrong here. If you listen to what they’re saying ‘five thousand naira each to our police friends,’ ‘thank you, thank you,’ that’s what the Chinese people were saying.”
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to officially respond to the video at the time of filing this report.
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