By Halimah Olamide
A warning by the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force over the use of the trending slogan “No Gree for Anybody” has ignited a new energy and a resurgence of the use of the same slogan among Nigerians.
Police Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had on Wednesday warned against the use of the slogan saying intelligence indicated that it has the capacity to fuel public disturbance and civil unrest.
Speaking at the parade of 67 suspected criminals on Tuesday, the Force’s Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, in a now trending post, expressed concern over the usage of the slogan which he claimed to have emerged from a revolutionary sector.
According to him, the security community sees it as a very dangerous slogan.
His words; “Let me say this again on this note that the new slogan for 2024 for our young ones is ‘no dey gree for anybody.
“We have been informed from our intelligence that this slogan is coming from a revolutionary sector that may likely cause problem across the country.
“No dey gree for anybody is being seen as just a normal talk. But in security business, the security community sees it as a very dangerous slogan that can trigger causes.”
His warning that triggered a wave of reactions by many Nigerians who accused the force of attempting to further gag them in their expressions.
An activisit, Adetoun Oni, who demanded from the police how the slogan constituted a headache for the force, argued on Thursday that “No Gree for Anybody” is a form of expression which allows Nigerians to ventilate their frustrations.
She, in a video, said the police has much more worrisome security challenges to face than intimidating Nigerians over the use of what she said is a harmless mode of expression.
Adetoun, in her condemnation of the warning by the police on Thursday, said, “If you go through from 7up down to Ojota, the Nigerian police is there everyday of their life using POS to collect money from citizens and you think that is morally and constitutionally right.
“Everyday, the Nigerian police is at Ikorodu roundabout taking bribes from citizens, would take money transfer into their account, intimidate citizens while holding their guns, is that morally justified?
“The same Nigerian Police could not meet the five demands of END SARS, is that still morally justified?
“Mr. Olumuiywa, are we in a land of slavery?
Is freedom of speech now a problem to you? You want Nigerians to obey but you cannot afford to give citizens the fundamental right that you owe them.”
Less than 24 hours after the police warned against the use of “No gree for anybody,” the Nigeria Army used the same slogan asking Nigerians not to “gree” for terrorists.
Many have called the attention of the police headquarters to the Army’s use of the same slogan, asking the Police to go after the Army.
In what appears as a further clarification and reinforcement of the police warning, Adejobi came out again on Thursday saying the police is in the best position to advise the citizens on impending crisis based on intelligence.
He had said, “The Police are in the best position to advise and educate Nigerians on possible early warning signs of an impending danger as a civil and people-oriented institution.
“Do not take the 2024 slogan for granted. Do not abuse the slogan and capitalise on it to be attacking security operatives while discharging their duties.
“Be reasonable with the slogan, sue for, and embrace peace anywhere you find yourself, even at home. It is well with our dear country.”
And even at that, responders have said they do not agree with the police on its warning.
An X user, Owuru Samuel Nwenze with the handle, @OwuruSameul, said “Officer we no still gree for this message,” posting the graphic of a protest with his message.
Another X user with the handle, @Ugwu-Obinn_ wrote “Yet you didn’t see all the warning signs before and after bandits invaded people’s home?
You didn’t see the warning signs when people were killed during the election You didn’t see warning signs when as Bokoharam keep attacking villagers?
Is the “no gree for anybody” slogans that made Betta Edu to steal money? Is it the slogans that allowed Buhari and his cohorts to milk us dry?
Oga, do your job and stop indulging in minors please. We no go gree for anybody to intimate (sic) us this year.”