The Nigerian Police Force, Edo State Command has banned its operatives on routine patrol, and stop and search duties from searching citizens’ phones.
This was stated in a release issued by the Edo State Police spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor on Friday.
According to Nwabuzor, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, has advised officers and men not to do this conduct, as instructed by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun. He further stated that IGP Egbetokun has asked Zonal Assistant Inspectors-Generals (AIGs), Command and Formation Commanders (CPs), to supervise their staff and discipline errant officials.
The statement reads: “This press release is to inform the general public especially the law abiding citizens of Edo State of the State Police Command’s position regarding searching of citizens’ phones by the operatives while on routine patrol. stop and search duties in the state.
“The Commissioner of Police Edo State, CP Funsho Adegboye, mni during a meeting with the Command’s strategic security managers re- echoed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM on the ban on seaching of citizens’ phones when executing court order from the court of competent jurisdiction as it empowers them to carry out such duties therein in the course of investigation.”
However, Nwabuzor stated that the CP has sternly cautioned officers and soldiers to refrain from this unprofessional conduct of inspecting phones, adding that any officer discovered doing so will face severe punishments.
Adegboye has also advised the public to be patient with the police and report any officer who engages in unprofessional behaviour to these specific phone numbers: 07037376464, 08140275108, 08033726625, and 08164523045.