"Like Beggars in Uniform": Viral Video of Policemen Collecting Cash from Chinese Bosses Sparks Outrage

A recently surfaced video showing armed Nigerian police officers lining up to receive cash from their Chinese employers has ignited a storm of criticism and public outrage across the country. The footage, which quickly went viral on social media, captures what many have described as a deeply humiliating and symbolic portrayal of systemic rot and perceived exploitation within the Nigerian security sector.

In the now-infamous clip, several policemen can be seen standing in formation, smiling and visibly eager as a Chinese man counts out one-thousand-naira notes and hands them over individually. The scene appears almost ceremonial—like a reward or tip being dispensed after a job well done—except it lacks the dignity that one might expect from a formal police engagement. There was no concealment, no attempt to be discreet. The exchange was recorded, posted online, and has now become the latest example of what critics say reflects the growing commodification and degradation of the Nigerian police force.

The reactions have been swift and scathing. Nigerians from all walks of life have expressed anger, disappointment, and embarrassment at the situation, questioning both the professionalism of the officers and the intent behind such a public display of cash handouts. Many pointed out that even if the money was intended as a gift or “appreciation,” the manner in which it was done—openly, recorded on camera, and distributed in cash—was not only inappropriate but outright demeaning.

“This is absolutely embarrassing to watch,” wrote one user, @EuchariaUrantaO, on X (formerly Twitter). “Even if we assume it’s not a bribe, don’t they have bank accounts? Why hand out cash, record it, and then post it on social media? It just feels so demeaning, especially when you think about how these foreigners treat our people right here in our own country. Gosh!”

Another user, @Impregnabilis, didn’t mince words: “Every time our police force always sink to a new low. What is this one again? They now lined them up like beggars. This is called bribery and it’s happening in broad daylight.”

The optics are difficult to defend. The image of uniformed men—armed and sworn to uphold the law—lined up for cash from a foreigner smacks of power imbalance, corruption, and desperation. Many are calling it a metaphor for a broader national issue where systems meant to protect and serve are now seemingly reduced to begging or operating at the mercy of private interests.

And for some, the issue isn't just the act itself, but what it suggests about the leadership and structure within the Nigerian Police Force. “Why are they being paraded on camera just to be given ₦5,000? It should be off camera with respect,” wrote @Olu_las. “Even if it’s a gift, why the need for this parade?”

One particularly poignant comment came from @murishenko85: “Is this the same way he pays them their monthly wages/salaries too? No matter how anyone tries to put this—whether it is a Christmas or Easter bonus or any form of gift—this is shameful and wrong in all aspects.”

There is also the recurring concern of how many police officers are being privately assigned to individuals, especially wealthy or foreign nationals. “Why do we complain about being underpoliced when we have these large numbers of officers attached to individuals?” asked @macoanj, raising a crucial point about the misallocation of security resources in the country.

Despite the outrage, the Nigerian Police Force has yet to release an official statement addressing the incident. The silence from the authorities only amplifies the public’s frustration and fuels speculations about whether such practices are unofficially tolerated or even widespread. In a country where law enforcement often battles accusations of bribery, extortion, and poor public relations, this video is a public relations nightmare that could further erode the credibility of the force.

The implications extend beyond public image. The incident exposes a vulnerability in the system—a situation where underpaid, overworked, and perhaps poorly motivated officers become susceptible to gestures that blur the line between appreciation and exploitation. It reflects a deeper issue of welfare and compensation within the force. When officers are not properly incentivized or compensated by the government, they may begin to see external "gifts" as necessary supplements to their income, regardless of the optics or legality.

For many Nigerians, the video is not just an isolated act of bad judgment—it is a damning snapshot of a broken structure. A force that is meant to command respect now appears to be losing it in increments, not just from the public but from those they are meant to protect and serve.

What makes this situation even more troubling is the dynamic of power at play. The fact that the officers were receiving money from foreign nationals, especially in such a visibly submissive and informal manner, raises red flags about sovereignty, dignity, and the treatment of uniformed men by non-citizens. It begs the question—what level of influence or control do these foreign individuals wield over our security personnel? And who exactly is in charge when the lines between gratitude and subordination become so thin?

As the video continues to trend, pressure is mounting on the Nigeria Police Force to respond, investigate, and take a stand. Civil society groups are already calling for disciplinary action and clearer policies on the relationship between private individuals and assigned security personnel. Without a swift and transparent response, the growing public distrust in the system may deepen further.

Until then, the images from that short clip will continue to haunt the nation—images of armed men, proudly wearing the uniform of the Nigerian Police Force, smiling gratefully as they collect crisp naira notes from foreign bosses, with a camera rolling to document it all. A moment that could have remained behind closed doors is now public record, and it has left an indelible stain not just on the officers involved but on the institution they represent.

Whether the act was a harmless gesture of appreciation or a public bribe dressed in cultural ignorance, one thing is clear—Nigeria is watching, and the people are tired of excuses.