Kemi Badenoch Criticizes Nigerian Police in Latest Remarks, Sparks Controversy

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the British Conservative Party, has sparked fresh controversy by recounting negative experiences with the Nigerian police during an interview with The Free Press. When asked whether she trusted the British police, Badenoch compared them to their Nigerian counterparts, painting a grim picture of her time in Nigeria.

She said, “I do. My experience with the police in Nigeria was very negative, and coming to the UK, my first experience with the police was very positive. The police in Nigeria would rob us. I remember the police stealing my brother’s shoes and his watch. It’s a very poor country, so people do all sorts of things.”

When the interviewer expressed shock, Badenoch elaborated, “Giving people a gun is just a license to intimidate. But that’s not the bar we should use for the British Police. When I was burgled in 2004, for example, the police were helpful and eventually caught the person. That was 20 years ago.”

Badenoch’s remarks add to a series of controversial statements she has made about Nigeria, which she left at age 16 for the US. During her campaign for Conservative leadership, she described her childhood in Nigeria as “very tough,” citing a lack of basic amenities like running water and electricity.

Her comments have drawn criticism, with many Nigerians accusing her of exploiting her background to gain favor with the British public. Vice President Kashim Shettima recently called her out, urging her to remove “Kemi” from her name if she was not proud of her Nigerian heritage. Shettima emphasized that Nigeria remains proud of Badenoch despite her efforts to denigrate her roots.

The backlash continues as Badenoch’s statements fuel ongoing debates about identity, loyalty, and representation.