Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Funsho Adegboye has clarified the position of the Command banning its officers and men from searching people’s phones during routine patrols and other operations, describing the act as an unprofessional conduct.
State Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor made the position of the Commissioner known in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, the state capita.
CP Adegboye warned the officers and men to desist from the act, as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the punishment of erring personnel.
He said officers and men can only be allowed to search people’s phones when executing an order from a court of competent jurisdiction as it empowers them to carry out such duties n the course of investigation.
He warned the officers and men to desist from “this unprofessional conduct of searching phones,” stating that any officer caught doing so will face severe sanctions.
The Police Commissioner also urged the public to be patient with the police and report any officer who indulges in the unprofessional conduct.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)