Edo Police CP Ban Officers From Searching Citizens’ Phones

…As IGP directs zonal AIGs, Command, and formations CPs to monitor their personnel and punish erring officers

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Edo State Commissioner of Police (CP) Funsho Adegboye, during a meeting with the Command’s strategic security managers, re-echoed the directive of Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) on the ban on searching of citizens’ phones while on Patrol, Raid Operations, Stop and Search duties or other essential duties.

Recall that the IGP has earlier given instructions to zonal AIGs, Commands and formations CPs to monitor their personnel and punish erring officers found searching of citizen’s phone while on duties.

In a press statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Chidi Nwabuzor stated that CP Adegboye warned that on no account should Police Officers/operatives engage in searching citizens’ phones in line of duties.

CP Adegboye who had served in various capacity at the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, Liberia, East Timor and Afican Union Mission in  Somalia said that officers can only be allowed to search citizens’ phones when executing court order from the court of competent jurisdiction as it empower them to carry out such duties therein in the course of investigation.

He however vehemently warns officers and men to desist from this unprofessional conduct of searching phones that any officer caught doing so will face severe sanctions.

He therefore urges the general public to be patient with the police and report any officer who indulges in unprofessional conduct through these dedicated telephone numbers.