In a recent statement, the Edo State Police Command has restated its prohibition on officers searching phones while conducting routine patrols and other operations, labeling such behavior as ‘unprofessional.’
The spokesperson for the command, Chidi Nwabuzor, conveyed this message on Friday.
“This communication is intended to notify the public, particularly the law-abiding citizens of Edo State, about the stance of the State Police Command regarding the search of citizens’ phones by officers during routine patrols, stop and search activities in the state,” the statement read.
“The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Funsho Adegboye, reiterated the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, regarding the prohibition on searching citizens’ phones during Patrol, Raid Operations, Stop and Search duties, or other essential tasks. He emphasized that under no circumstances should Police Officers/operatives engage in phone searches while on duty.
“Drawing from his experience serving in various capacities at the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, Liberia, East Timor, and the African Union Mission in Somalia, the CP stated that officers may only search citizens’ phones when executing a court order from a competent jurisdiction that authorizes them to do so during the investigation process. Nonetheless, he strongly cautioned officers against this unprofessional behavior of searching phones, warning that any officer caught in the act would face strict sanctions,” the statement continued.
The CP urged the public to remain patient with the police and report any officer engaging in unprofessional conduct through the specified contact numbers: 07037376464, 08140275108, 08033726625, and 08164523045.