The Commissioner of Edo State Police, Funsho Adegboye, has prohibited officers in the state from searching the phones of citizens.
This was made known by the state police spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, in a statement published on X Control Panel on Thursday.
The man stated, “The Inspector General of Police has directed the Zonal AIGs, Headquarters, and CP Training to supervise their personnel. As such, the Edo State Commissioner of Police warns police officers and the public to desist from this act.” Nwabuzor.
The ban imposed by the Edo State Police comes less than two months after the Lagos State Police boss issued a similar warning to workers in the state.
The number of incidents where the police violated the privacy of Nigerians by searching their phones has increased significantly despite repeated warnings by law enforcement authorities against such acts.
Armed forces spokesperson Olumyiwa Adejobi warned workers against similar actions more than a year ago.
“Stop checking your phones while travelling. You can’t check someone’s phone. It’s your personal property. Adejobi stated in an interview on Channels Television, “You can’t do that.”
Adejobi, deputy commissioner of police, said all officers are aware that it is illegal to search citizens’ phones.
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“There are anomalies in the police. No policeman does not know not to dress inappropriately, not to smoke when on duty, not to hit Nigerians and not to hit himself with a sword.
“Everyone in the Nigerian Police Force today knows this; it’s all part of the combat manual they learned in training school.
He said any operator who made a mistake (disciplinary or criminal) would face their punishment: dismissal, demotion or severe reprimand.
However, despite repeated warnings from the authorities, there have been several cases of telephone records by operators.
For example, the Vanguard newspaper reported last year that a law enforcement spokesperson had called for an investigation into a viral video showing a police officer assaulting a man who refused to hand over his phone.