‘Unprofessional Conduct’ – Edo Police Vow To Punish Officers Involved In Phone Searches

The Edo State Police Command restated its ban on officers conducting phone searches during routine patrols and other operations.

The Command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, issued this statement on Friday.

Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, reiterated the directive from the Inspector-General of Police banning such actions.

He emphasized that officers are only permitted to search phones with a court order and warned of severe consequences for any officer violating this directive.

The statement read, “This press release is to inform the general public, especially the law-abiding citizens of Edo State, of the State Police Command’s position regarding the searching of citizens’ phones by the operatives while on routine patrol, stop and search duties in the state.

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

“He warned that on no account should Police Officers/operatives engage in searching citizens’ phones in line of duties.

“The CP who had served in various capacity at the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, Liberia, East Timor and African 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 empowers them to carry out such duties therein in the course of investigation. 

“However, he 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 urged the public to exercise patience with the police and report any unprofessional conduct by officers using dedicated telephone numbers: 07037376464, 08140275108, 08033726625, and 08164523045.