News

[OPINION] Breaking Bad: The Nigerian Episode

Published

6 months ago

April 16, 2025

By Israel Adebiyi

There is a moment in the iconic series
_Breaking Bad_ when Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin, declares, “I am not in danger… I am the danger.” That transformation—from a man broken by a failed system to one willing to burn it all down—captures the soul of a story far beyond television. It captures Nigeria.

Ours is a country where the line between villain and victim often blurs. Where desperation becomes a driving force and crime can masquerade as strategy. And like Walter White, many Nigerians—especially the youth—are forced to break bad, not because they are evil, but because they have been cornered by a system that does not work.

For example, we must ask ourselves: what becomes of the honest man in a dishonest system? Walter White did not start off as a criminal. He was a teacher, a father, a man with pride and potential—crushed by a healthcare system that could not save his life, a job that could not pay his bills, and a nation that offered him nothing but slow death. In Nigeria, thousands of graduates roam the streets jobless. Skilled professionals migrate en masse, not for adventure but for survival. Honest men and women are broken daily by a system that undermines integrity and rewards manipulation. They “break bad”—morally, mentally, and sometimes criminally.

The tragedy, both in the show and in Nigeria, is not the struggle but the system that fails its people. Walter’s cancer diagnosis was not the villain. The villain was the structure that made illegal drug production seem like a legitimate way to fund treatment. Similarly, Nigeria’s tragedy is not only in its poverty—it is in the betrayal of its promise. A country endowed with oil wealth cannot provide basic electricity, quality education, or even security. Pensioners die waiting to be paid. Students lose years to strikes. The social contract is constantly breached—and when the people get tired, they stop playing by the rules.

As people adapt, morality itself becomes political. Walter justified his crimes by claiming he did it for his family. In Nigeria, we hear the same rationalizations: Politicians loot to “secure the future” for their children; clergies cover abuse to “protect the gospel”; the middle class stays silent to “avoid trouble.” The line between right and wrong fades when survival becomes the only metric. But the same justifications that fuel survival also fertilize corruption—and the descent becomes cultural.

This breakdown persists because of weak institutions and selective justice. In _Breaking Bad, law enforcement is either asleep, compromised, or tragically late. Nigeria is no different. The law bends before the rich and crushes the poor. When a politician steals billions, he is celebrated with chieftaincy titles. When a jobless youth steals a phone, he faces jungle justice. Our justice system does not serve—it discriminates. The problem is not just criminal behaviour—it is unequal accountability.

And then there are the Nigerian “Heisenbergs”—powerful individuals who exploit loopholes in the system to dominate it. Just as Walter evolved into a figure feared more than any cartel boss, Nigeria has birthed its own overlords in agbadas and uniforms—those who manipulate government, military, and the economy for personal gain. The parallel underworld is no longer underground—it is policy, it is power, it is public.

But perhaps what enables all of this more than anything is silence, the co-conspirator. In the show, Skyler knew. Jesse knew. Hank suspected. But they all kept quiet until it was too late. In Nigeria, we know. We see the rigging, the looting, the lies. But we shrug: “E no concern me.” “God will judge.” “Let me face my hustle.” This complicity gives corruption its staying power. When we normalize dysfunction, we forfeit the right to complain about its consequences.

Worse still is the madness of control. Walter believed he could control everything—his illness, the drug market, his family. But it all spiraled. Nigerian leaders too believe they can suppress the masses, manipulate elections, and weaponize poverty without consequence. But history disagrees. From the Aba Women’s Riot to the End SARS protests, Nigerians have shown that when the people rise, no amount of force can hold back a tidal wave of discontent.

So we must ask: must we all break bad to survive? Or can we break better? Nigeria does not need more Heisenbergs. It needs people with courage to disrupt the cycle—not with crime, but with creativity; not with silence, but with defiance. It needs voters who understand power, entrepreneurs who refuse shortcuts, clergies who preach conscience, and leaders who serve, not steal.

_Breaking Bad_ ends in fire and blood. But Nigeria does not have to. We still have a choice. A choice to stop cooking the poison and start healing the nation. A choice to stop being Walter White—and start being right.

Because Nigeria does not need another lord. It needs citizens who are tired of breaking and ready to build.

And that is the pulse. Until next week, keep your finger on it.

Writer’s note: This piece is not intended to make an excuse for criminality, deviance, or the erosion of moral values. Rather, it seeks to hold a mirror to our society—to reflect how a broken system can turn honest men into desperate actors. In Nigeria today, many argue that it is nearly impossible to succeed without engaging in some form of irregularity. That, right there, is the psychological power of a failed system: it rebrands evil as a necessary tool for survival and presents wrongdoing as the only route to being right. This piece is an indictment of such a reality and a call to re-examine the systemic dysfunctions that are normalizing corruption, compromise, and silence.

Israel Adebiyi is the Head of News, Super FM, Benin City, Edo State.

News

NDLEA Intercepts Drugs Concealed In Frozen Snails, Electrical Bulbs

Published

2 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted consignments of illicit drugs concealed in frozen snails, electrical bulbs, and female clothes bound for the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the interceptions were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a courier company in Lagos.

Babafemi said two suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures.

“One of them, a cargo agent Boladale Riliwan, was arrested on October 7, 2025, following the discovery of 15 parcels of skunk, a strain of cannabis, concealed in 10 pieces of giant rechargeable electrical bulbs he presented in a carton for airfreight to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the export shed of the Lagos airport,” Babafemi added.

Babafemi said another suspect, a 48-year-old UK-based public health assistant, Olawale Hakeemot, was arrested on October 12 at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the MMIA, Ikeja.

He said she was found with 2,300 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in frozen snails while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester, United Kingdom.

“Attempt by another syndicate to export 810 pills of bromazepam hidden in female clothes going to the United States was also thwarted by NDLEA officers at a courier company in Lagos on Thursday, 16th October,” he added.

In Adamawa State, Babafemi said operatives intercepted a suspect, Bello Buba, at an NDLEA checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South Local Government Area, with 38,270 pills of tramadol concealed in the spare tyre, boot, and door compartments of his Honda Civic.

News

PSC Reviews Disciplinary Cases, Reinstates Dismissed Police Officers

Published

4 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

The Police Service Commission has reinstated some police officers who had been punished after reviewing a series of disciplinary cases.

The commission said no fewer than 24 appeals and one pending disciplinary matter were deliberated on during its plenary.

A statement on Sunday by the PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, said the decisions were aimed at ensuring fairness and justice in police disciplinary administration.

Among the officers reinstated was ACP Ejiofor Grace Obiageli, who had been compulsorily retired following an incident on September 8, 2023, at Old Netim Division, Akamkpa, Cross River State.

“The Commission approved her reinstatement from the date of her compulsory retirement and to be properly placed so as to be at par with her mates,” Ani added.

Ani also said the commission freed ACP Muhammad Yunusa from a punishment of severe reprimand, restored the rank of CSP Ihekandu Okwuonu, and reinstated him, subject to his date of retirement.

“The Commission also freed ACP Muhammad Awwal Yunusa from a punishment of severe Reprimand, restored the rank of CSP Ihekandu Allwell Okwuonu and reinstated him, but subject to his date of retirement.

“SP Clement Awoyemi got the Commission’s approval for adjustment of his date of reinstatement while ASP Bamiselu Oluwaseun, ASP Ahmed Monday and ASP Imoohi Doora were all reinstated,” he said.

Ani equally said the commission dismissed petitions against DIG Bzigu Dali, describing allegations of falsified records as frivolous.

“The Commission also noted that, as the exclusive body on Police Discipline, the warning letter issued to the officer, and which did not emanate from the Commission, was null and void. It also quashed the reversal of his date of birth from 10th of April 1967 to 10th of April 1966 through a signal”, he said.

Ani said the PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), promised that the commission would continue to ensure that justice is served promptly in all disciplinary cases.

He noted that officers who are cleared of wrongdoing should not have their careers hindered by administrative delays or errors.

“The Commission will henceforth ensure that pending disciplinary matters are treated with despatch so that those found culpable are made to face the consequences while those exonerated are freed to continue with their career progression.

“The Commission will not at any time impede the career progression of any Officer who is not found guilty of any misdemeanour,” Argungu was quoted as saying.

Ani also said at the commencement of its second plenary meeting on Thursday, the Commission approved the promotion of several deserving officers, including the appointment of a new Deputy Inspector-General of Police and the promotion of one Commissioner of Police to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General.

Among those promoted were SP Omenihu Obinna, Commander, Anti-Cult Unit, Abia State Command; DSP Bankole Olajide Joseph, Commander, Bank Guard, Lagos State Command; and several others confirmed as Assistant Superintendents of Police, including Ede Stella Ukamaka of the Police Hospital, Awka, Anambra State; Omeife Bethrand Emeka of 45 PMF, Force Headquarters, Abuja; and Nnamdi Nwoba, O/C Surveillance, Ubakala Division, Abia State Command.

ASP Adeyemi Adeola, Chief of Staff to the Chairman of a Lagos State Task Force, was also promoted to the rank of DSP.

The reinstatements come amid the Police Service Commission’s ongoing efforts to restore confidence in its disciplinary processes and correct administrative injustices within the Nigeria Police Force.

The PUNCH reports that over the years, several officers have petitioned the commission over what they described as wrongful sanctions, arbitrary punishments, or flawed disciplinary proceedings.

News

Police Warn Against Protest In Aso Rock, Environs

Published

12 hours ago

October 19, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has warned intending protesters, agitating for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu, against any form of protest around the Aso Rock and its environs.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in Abuja, said the warning followed an order of a Federal High Court, Abuja.

He said the court, in a suit between the Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore & 4 others, on Oct. 17, restrained any form of protest around the Aso Rock and its environs.

“The order restrains the respondents and any other persons or groups acting under their instruction from staging protests within and around Aso Rock Villa and its environs.

“Other areas are the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way.

“Accordingly, all intending protesters and counter-protest groups are strongly advised to avoid restricted areas and to refrain from any act capable of provoking confrontation or disturbing public order,” he said.

The police spokesman said the force would ensure the free flow of traffic, protection of lives and property, and security of all law-abiding citizens.

According to him, any person or group that uses protests as cover to incite violence, carry or use offensive weapons, vandalise public or private property, kidnap, or engage in acts likely to cause loss of life or serious injury will be dealt with decisively.

He said offenders would be arrested, subjected to full investigation, and prosecuted under relevant criminal laws, including laws relating to public order, violent conduct and terrorism where applicable.

Hundeyin said those who incite others via social media or other platforms would be investigated and prosecuted, using digital evidence.

He said the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and relevant operational commands to ensure strict enforcement of the court’s order.

Hundeyin said the I-G had directed the CP to maintain visible and strategic deployments across vulnerable locations, and ensure the safety of residents and lawful activities in the FCT.

He urged organisers of the protest and participants to avoid the restricted areas specified by the court and refrain from carrying weapons, engaging in provocative conduct, or encouraging others to breach the law.

Hundeyin also urged the protesters to channel their grievances through the courts and other lawful avenues rather than the streets.

The police spokesman said adequate security arrangements had been made to protect lives and property of law-abiding Nigerians.

He enjoined those, not engaging in the protest to go about their lawful businesses without fear as anyone found to be in breach of the court’s order or in contempt of the law and be arrested and prosecuted.