The Delta State Police Command has said that police officers have the right to search individuals’ bags and pockets without a search warrant, a statement that has sparked reactions online.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, made the statement via his X handle on Saturday, August 23, while parading a suspected thief caught with a firearm.
He explained that while the police cannot search homes or phones without a warrant, officers are permitted to search individuals and their belongings if they appear suspicious
“This chap was standing at a club around 5 a.m. looking suspicious, when operatives of the Rapid Response Squad intercepted and searched him, and this gun was recovered,” SP Edafe said in the video. He added that the suspect’s bag contained a firearm, magazine, and ammunition.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect, 39-year-old Bassey Udoh from Akwa Ibom, had been stealing generators from several homes.
SP Edafe added, “Bassey Udoh did not only have this in his possession. In the course of our investigation, we discovered that he usually scale through the fence of people’s houses while they’re sleeping and steals their generator. At times use the gate to come out and or also take it out through the fence. The time of their operation are usually between the hours of 4am and 5am.”
The suspect admitted to having lived in Delta State for three years and confessed to stealing from about nine houses over the past two months.
“I’ve not entered more than nine people’s houses. Some people buy the generator for N40,000 or N35,000,” Bassey Udoh said.
Regarding the firearm, Bassey Udoh claimed it was for display purposes at a club, not for committing robbery.
“I was holding it; I did not use it to rob. It was for flexing at a club. I put it in my waist,” he said.
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