Kemi Badenoch: UK Conservative Party leader says Nigerian police stole her brother’s shoe, watch

The leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has described the Nigerian police as "armed robbers" who use guns to intimidate and exploit citizens. Speaking on a podcast hosted by Bari Weiss, editor of The Free Press, Ms. Badenoch recounted a personal experience involving her younger brother.

“You know, the police in Nigeria would rob us. So when people say, I had this bad experience with the police because I’m black and they’re white, I was like, well. You know, I remember the police stole my brother’s shoes and his watch,” Ms. Badenoch said during the interview on Friday.  

Elaborating on the incident, she added, “They took his shoes and his watch. It’s a very poor country. So people do all sorts of things.”  

Comparing police systems  

Ms. Badenoch drew a sharp contrast between her negative experiences with the Nigerian police and her positive interactions with law enforcement in the UK. “You remember my experience with the police in Nigeria was very negative. And coming to the UK, my first experience with the police was very positive. And giving people a gun is just a license to intimidate,” she stated.  

The British politician emphasized that police officers should act as the first reliable line of security for citizens, noting the professionalism she encountered in the UK. “For example, the police were there, very helpful. They eventually caught the persons [responsible for a burglary]. So the police are the first line of defence for everything,” she said, while stressing that the standards for British policing should remain high.  

Backlash and criticism  

Ms. Badenoch’s comments have sparked backlash from Nigerians, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, who dismissed her criticisms as inconsequential. In a pointed response, Mr. Shettima said, “If she does not want any association with the ‘greatest black nation on earth, the nation called Nigeria,’ she can go ahead and change her name.”  

The vice president reaffirmed his confidence in Nigeria’s resilience, insisting the nation would overcome its challenges despite criticisms from detractors.  

History of critique  

Ms. Badenoch has frequently used her platform in British media to highlight systemic corruption and security issues in Nigeria. Her remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with some applauding her for speaking candidly about Nigeria’s struggles, while others view her statements as a betrayal of her roots.  

As leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, Ms. Badenoch’s views continue to stir debate on the global stage, raising questions about the balance between addressing systemic issues and maintaining national pride.  

Watch the video below;

"The police in Nigeria would rob us. The police stole my brother's shoes and his watch. It's a very poor country, so people do all sorts of things."

- Kemi Badenoch pic.twitter.com/NJrro4EHKj

— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) December 14, 2024