The Edo State Police Command has banned its operatives on routine patrol, and stop and search duties from searching citizens’ phones.
The ban was announced on Friday in a statement by Edo State Police spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor.
Nwabuzor said the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, has warned officers and men to desist from this act as directed by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
He added that IGP Egbetokun has also directed Zonal Assistant Inspectors-Generals (AIGs), Command and Formations CPs to monitor their personnel and punish erring officers.
“This press release is to inform the general public especially the law abiding citizens of Edo State of the State Police Command’s position regarding searching of citizens’ phones by the operatives while on routine patrol, stop and search duties in the state,” Nwabuzor said.
“The Commissioner of Police Edo State, CP
Funsho Adegboye, mni during a meeting with the Command’s strategic security managers re-echoed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM on the ban on seaching of citizens’ phones when executing court order from the court of competent jurisdiction as it empowers them to carry out such duties therein in the course of investigation.”
However, Nwabuzor, said the CP has vehemently warned officers and men to desist from this unprofessional conduct of searching phones that any officer caught doing so will face severe sanctions.
Adegboye has also urged the general public to be patient with the police and report any officer who indulges in unprofessional conduct through these dedicated telephone numbers: 07037376464, 08140275108, 08033726625 and 08164523045.