ByESTHER ONYEGBULA

A new drama series titled Kondo Kingdom is set to hit major television stations in Nigeria. The twenty–six episode television drama series depicts various aspects of police working and living conditions as well as conduct and performance.

It employs satire as a means to expose and denounce unethical and abusive policing practices and advocate for improvements in police welfare. It seeks to positively reinforce good policing practices, promote human rights awareness in the context of law enforcement and improve community police relations.

The police reform drama which has its episodes in Pidgin English to reach the widest audience possible, cast includes several popular Nollywood actors and aspiring university drama students to attract public interest in the series.

Each episode highlights the poor state of police welfare to improve the general public’s understanding of the harsh conditions under which the police operate. The drama portrays police abuse to discourage police exploitation and to inform citizens on their fundamental human rights. It also seek to promote police-community partnerships in an effort to reduce crime.

According to Executive producer, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the drama series, is in furtherance of Network of police reform in Nigeria, (NOPRIN) efforts, with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy, Washington DC to advance police reform by mobilizing the public and government authorities to demand improvements in police welfare and reductions in police abuse through public media advocacy in Nigeria.

“Our decision to delve into drama was informed by our recognition that television viewership is very high in Nigeria and drama is a popular and effective medium of outreach, information, entertainment, advocacy, and civic education.” He added.

Speaking at the 45-minutes public preview of the drama series, the Lagos state commissioner of Police Collernius Aderanti, represented by Area F commander ACP Tunde Adaguduro noted that the Nigeria police force is a reflection of the Nigerian society, and that all is been done to bridge the gap between the Nigerian police and the people.

The drama shot at Alari, a village which is 3 kilometers to Idiroko, Ogun state featured cast like Sunday Afolabi, Lambert Dike, Edmond Enaibe, Ambrose Mosi, Yemi Shodimu and Fisayo Ojugbuyi.

Some of the episode include, bad apples, agent of criminals, the wages of sin, police is your friend, mobilization money, abandoned property, torture chamber order from above amongst others.