Edo CP bans police officers from searching citizens’ phones

Funsho Adegboye, the commissioner of police in Edo, has banned officers under his command from searching citizens’ phones during patrols or operations.

Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesperson of the command, said in a statement that the ban was a directive from Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP).

Over the years, many Nigerians have taken to social media to complain about how police officers searched through their phones during stop-and-search operations.

On numerous occasions, the police authorities have warned against the act but the trend did not stop.

Nwabuzor quoted the commissioner as saying that police officers can only search citizens’ phones when executing an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

“He warned that on no account should Police Officers/operatives engage in searching citizens’ phones in line of duties,” the statement reads.

“The CP said officers can only be allowed to search citizens’ phones when executing court orders from the court of competent jurisdiction as it empowers them to carry out such duties.”

The command spokesperson said the IGP has asked zonal assistant inspectors-generals (AIGs), command and formation commanders (CPs), to supervise their staff and discipline errant officials.