The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has appealed to Nigerians to expose its operatives engaging in illegal stop and search of citizens’ phones.
Recall that the Force had banned its operatives from illegal phone searches.
Despite the ban and strict warning from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, many police officers continued to routinely check the citizens’ mobile phones.
An X user, Silva Nimi, in a post shared online on Tuesday, questioned Adejobi on why police officers keep checking the citizens’ phones.
The post read, “Bro, why are your men after young boys in the street. What did we do wrong ?What did they keep in our phones “ that they want to check and search for all the time?”
In response, Adejobi described the action as unprofessional, insisting that it is illegal for operatives on routine patrol to inspect citizens’ phones.
He said they have many experiences but it is disheartening that many victims are undermining the force efforts to punish the culprits.
He said, “Let’s have at least a scapegoat. Searching phones on the road, or without being an exhibit in a case, is not allowed and unprofessional. Recalcitrant officers won’t allow us rest, but we need to expose them.
“However, many victims of this act only come on X or online to raise issues when they have failed to cooperate with the authority to deal with their cases. They betray us, compromise, and encourage the men to dwell in such with impunity.
“We have various experiences, and it’s disheartening that the victims even beg us to pardon the men for reasons known to them. For those who have done so in my office, know I turn down their pleas. Let’s take the bull by the horn and expose the bad ones. Thanks.”
