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Kemi Badenoch, UK Conservative leader, criticized the Nigerian police, alleging officers robbed her brother. She contrasted this with her positive experience with British police. The comments sparked a backlash from Nigerians, including VP Kashim Shettima, who accused her of frequently disparaging her homeland

British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has drawn widespread attention after recounting a negative experience with the Nigerian police. Speaking in an interview with The Free Press, Badenoch claimed officers once robbed her brother of his shoes and watch, describing Nigeria as “a very poor country” where such incidents occur.

She highlighted the stark contrast between Nigerian and British policing, noting her positive experiences with the UK police. “The police in Nigeria would rob us… My experience in the UK was entirely different,” she said.

Nigerians reacted with mixed opinions online. Some supported her claims, sharing their negative encounters with law enforcement, while others accused her of being overly critical of Nigeria, urging her to focus on the country’s positive aspects.
The debate has brought renewed attention to long-standing issues within Nigeria’s law enforcement, including accountability and public trust, with references to the #EndSARS movement underscoring unresolved grievances.