Nigerian Man Replaces Items Kemi Badenoch Claimed Police Stole from Family
A Nigerian man living in the United Kingdom, James Akinwande, has made headlines for replacing a pair of shoes and a wristwatch allegedly stolen from the brother of Kemi Badenoch, a prominent British politician and leader of the Conservative Party. Badenoch recently accused officers of the Nigeria Police Force of taking her brother’s belongings during a December 2024 interview, sparking widespread reactions.
In the interview, Badenoch described her negative experience with the Nigerian police, contrasting it with her positive encounters with law enforcement in the UK. She called the alleged actions of the Nigerian police “an abuse of power,” adding, “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.”
Her remarks triggered mixed reactions among Nigerians, with some agreeing with her assessment and others accusing her of tarnishing Nigeria’s image. Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other critics argued that her comments were unfair and painted the country in a bad light.
In response, Akinwande took an unusual approach to address Badenoch’s claims. He recorded a video of himself buying a pair of shoes and a wristwatch from a UK store, symbolically replacing the items allegedly taken by the Nigerian police. He then delivered the items to the Conservative Party headquarters, asking security personnel to ensure they reached Badenoch.
At the end of his video, Akinwande included a message: “On behalf of every proud Nigerian who felt genuinely hurt by those unfounded disparaging remarks about the Nigerian Police. We ‘buy back’ the stolen shoes and watch! (I hope it fits, tho..).” The video quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion among Nigerians both at home and abroad.
Akinwande, the international manager of popular Nigerian comedian Kenny Blaq, is known for his creative responses to social issues. His gesture has amused and impressed many Nigerians, though opinions remain divided. Some view his actions as a patriotic and lighthearted response, while others question whether it truly addresses the deeper issues Badenoch raised about Nigeria’s police force.
This development has added a new layer to the ongoing debate surrounding Badenoch’s remarks. While Akinwande’s move has drawn attention, it also highlights Nigeria’s broader conversation about governance and accountability.
