The Edo State Police Command has reaffirmed its stance against officers conducting phone searches on citizens during routine patrols and other operations, labeling such actions as unprofessional conduct.
According to a statement released by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, and shared on the command’s Facebook page, Commissioner of Police CP Funsho Adegboye reiterated the directive from Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to penalize officers found engaging in such behavior.
The statement emphasized that officers should refrain from searching citizens’ phones during patrol, stop-and-search duties, or any other essential tasks. CP Adegboye clarified that officers are only permitted to search phones when authorized by a court order from a competent jurisdiction, specifically for investigative purposes.
CP Adegboye warned officers against this unprofessional conduct, emphasizing that severe sanctions await any officer caught violating these directives. He urged the public to report any officer engaging in unauthorized phone searches and to exercise patience with law enforcement.
This announcement aligns with the January statement made by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fayoade Adegoke, emphasizing that no officer has the authority to search the phones of Nigerian citizens.
