The Officers of the Nigerian Police Force have often being stereotyped as trigger-happy, extortionists who have no life beyond collecting bribes from motorists at road sides. This perception has however been debunked by the wife of the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Oladunni Odude who clarified that Police Officers are responsible men who do have families but hardly spend time with them.

Speaking during an interview on ‘Community Today’, an online television programme on CEOAfrica media platform, Mrs Odude who is also the Chairperson of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Oyo State Chapter, revealed that contrary to general public perception, men of the Nigerian Police have wives, children and loved ones whom they hardly spend time with as a result of the busy nature of their jobs.

Mrs Oladunni Odude with Mr Cletus IIlobanafor during the Media Chat

Mrs Odude stated that as part of the efforts to spend some much needed quality time with their busy husbands, wives of Police Officers in Oyo State have organised an event tagged ‘Couples’ Night’ where police officers and their wives will spend time together to enjoy one another’s company, adding that the event will further serve as a moment of relaxation and a break from the constant work schedule of the security personnel.

The Police Commissioner’s wife explained that the ‘Couples’ Night’ was necessitated by the clamour of the wives of Oyo State Police Officers to have some quality time with their husbands who hardly come home, much less give them attention. She noted that the security agents are always so wrapped up in their official duties that even when at home with their families, they spend the bulk of the time on their walkie-talkies.

   Mrs Oladunni Odude during the Media Chat at CEOAfrica

Explaining how the event came to be, Mrs Odude said “My POWA women came to me and told me beg my husband to loan them their husbands for about two to three hours. I spoke to my husband about it. But of course, as a man, he said no at first as he was worried about who would man the numerous duty posts. Eventually, I was able to convince him and he asked me to talk to the men. When I told the men about it, they were so happy.

“So my women and I decided that on the night of the event, we are going to dress up in evening gowns and let our husbands take a second look at the beautiful wives they married because they hardly notice their wives anymore. The event will enable the police officers appreciate the efforts and beauty of their wives. The beauty of their wives at this event will make the husbands want to come back home the more,” Mrs Odude stated.

Enumerating the travails of the Police Officers’ families, Mrs Odude stated that the entire family of the Police man is involved in his official duties. She said “The whole family does the work of a Police man. If your husband receives an emergency call, the least you can do for him is pray along with him. Sometimes, we keep sleepless nights when our husbands are out on operations.

Mrs Odude therefore enjoined members of the public to appreciate the sacrifices of Police men and their families. She also urged the public to partner with the security operatives by reporting crime and wrong doings to the appropriate authorities.