The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, has warned officers against searching residents’ phones during routine patrols, raids, and stop-and-search operations.

A statement shared on the command’s X page on Friday said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed zonal AIGs, command, and formations CPs to monitor their personnel and punish erring officers. 

It said Mr Adegboye reiterated the IGP’s directive during a meeting with the command’s strategic security managers.

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 searching 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, PhD, NPM, 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 commissioner, however, noted that “officers can only be allowed to search citizens’ phones when executing court orders from the court of competent jurisdiction, as this empowers them to carry out such duties.”