NEWS
“Policemen are not allowed to search your phones” – Lagos CP
Fayoade Adegoke, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, has announced that police officers are given permission to search the phones of Nigerian citizens as it is the duty of the cyber department.
This command was delivered during his Wednesday visit to Melody FM, 107.7FM, in Iyana-Ipaja.
Commissioner Adegoke said in a Sunday statement issued by Melody FM management and signed by Kunle Babarinde that the Police Force has a specific cyber division that handles such situations.
He added that if a police officer suspects someone, the right process is to transport the person to a police station, where the phone may be checked under authorized supervision and protocols.
He also reaffirmed that bail is still free and asked the people to report any instances of police corruption.
The Commissioner of Police was quoted, “If you feel you have been cheated by a policeman or a policeman engaged in corruption, kindly report the policeman to his DPO. If the DPO is not forthcoming, report to the Area Commander. I believe your case will be solved but if you still feel cheated, please report to me directly. My phone number is open to all Lagosians.
“No policeman has the right to beat citizens. You, the people, are the government’s employers; your taxes support us. Thus, we have to treat you with the appropriate decency.
“On the issue of searching phones, no policeman has the right to search your phone. If a policeman suspects anything on your phone, he will take you to the station to search the phone. We have a cyber department that deals with all that.”
