Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, has affirmed that citizens are allowed to record police officers on duty and that officers are prohibited from searching personal phones during stop-and-search operations.
These actions are deemed unprofessional and violate citizens’ privacy rights, with the police urging the public to report any officer who violates this directive.
Citizens have the right to record officers in public spaces, and the court has affirmed this right to hold officers accountable.
He noted that officers are only permitted to check phones if they have a warrant or if the device is directly linked to a serious investigation, which cannot be done on the roadside.
Police officers are to focus on searching vehicles for safety, not personal digital devices.
CP Fatai emphasized that officers in uniform must be identified by name and force number, making anonymous policing unconstitutional.
Citizens are encouraged to report any non-compliant officers to the Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU) or the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
While it’s legal to record officers on duty, the Ogun State Police Command has explained that the restriction of mobile phones within police stations is lawful and primarily driven by security considerations, following public concerns raised over the practice at the Igbeba Police Station in Ijebu Ode.
The clarification came after an X user, Salami Quadri, questioned the legality of asking members of the public to drop their mobile phones before gaining access to the police station.
Reacting in a post on X, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said Nigerian laws permit such restrictions where they are necessary to protect investigations, suspects, and police operations.
“Yes, it’s legal to restrict phones in police stations. This ensures the safety of suspects, protects their identities, and prevents operational assets from being compromised,” Babaseyi stated. READ MORE
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