Video: Police declares ban on roadside phone searches
Police
Abdullateef Fowewe
Lagos Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has strongly reiterated that police officers are not authorised to search phones during roadside checks.
Video: Police declares ban on roadside phone searches
He emphasised, “No Policeman should search your phone on the road. I stand by that order.”
This statement comes amid widespread public concern in Nigeria about harassment and extortion linked to unlawful phone searches by police officers.
The directive, highlighted in a viral video, represents a firm commitment by the police to end abuse and restore trust with the public.
Under Nigerian law, including the Police Act and the Evidence Act, officers may only conduct phone searches when there is reasonable suspicion supported by proper documentation—and such searches should occur within police facilities, not during street patrols.
The Commissioner’s clear stance gives citizens a strong legal reference point when confronted with unauthorised phone inspections, signaling a renewed effort to enforce policing protocols and protect individual rights.
