The Edo State Police Command has announced the prohibition of its operatives from searching citizens’ phones, in line with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun’s instructions to all Zonal Assistant Inspector-Generals (AIGs) of Police, Commands, and Formations Commissioners of Police (CPs) to closely monitor their personnel and take disciplinary action against any officer found engaging in such actions.
The Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Chidi Nwabuzor, gave the directive through a press statement signed by him on April 4, 2024.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, reiterated this directive during a meeting with the Command’s strategic security managers where he emphasized that officers must refrain from searching citizens’ phones during routine patrol, stop and search duties, or any other essential tasks.
CP Adegboye, who brings a wealth of international policing experience from his service in various missions including the United Nations, stressed that officers may only search citizens’ phones when executing a court order from a competent jurisdiction pointing out that any deviation from this protocol will result in severe sanctions for the erring officer.
He urged members of the public to cooperate with the police and report any officer engaging in unprofessional conduct through the dedicated phone numbers: 07037376464, 08140275108, 08033726625, and 08164523045.
