Police officers searching people’s phones will face sanctions – Edo CP

The Edo State Commissioner of Police (CP), Funsho Adgboye, has warned officers and men of the command to desist from searching people’s phones while on patrol or face sanctions.

Mr Adegboye said the warning became necessary as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had directed zonal AIGs, commands and formations to monitor their personnel and punish erring officers.

A release signed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, indicated that Adegboye gave the warning during a meeting with the command’s strategic security managers.

The statement reads in part: “This is to inform the public, especially the law abiding citizens of Edo State, of the command’s position regarding searching of citizens’ phones by operatives while on routine patrol and stop-and-search duties in the state.

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“This is also to re-echo the directive of the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, on the ban on searching of citizens’ phones while on patrol, raid operations, stop-and-search or other essential duties.”

He noted that officers could only be allowed to search citizens’ phones when executing a court order.

While urging the public to be patient with the police, he advised them to report any officer who indulged in unprofessional conduct through “police dedicated” telephone numbers.