The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, has directed officers to stop searching citizens’ mobile phones during stop-and-search operations, describing the practice as not permitted under current policing guidelines.
Fatai issued the directive in a video shared by News Central TV on Tuesday, where he emphasized professionalism, accountability, and respect for citizens’ rights during police duties.
He said officers should not fear being recorded while carrying out lawful duties, noting that accountability applies to both law enforcement officers and members of the public.
“When we know that what we are doing is the right thing, we shouldn’t entertain any fears of anybody recording us. You can record us. We can record you as well. It’s on both sides,” he said.
The police chief further stressed that citizens are allowed to film officers while on duty, as long as they are acting within the law.
“Anybody can record any police officer at his duty post. In as much as the police officer is doing the right thing, he has nothing to fear about recording,” Fatai added.
On operational procedures, the Commissioner clarified that officers have been specifically instructed to avoid searching mobile phones and instead focus on vehicle inspections during stop-and-search duties.
“Our men have been warned not to search any phone from any individual. We are there to search the vehicles,” he stated.
He explained that the purpose of stop-and-search operations is mainly to verify occupants of vehicles and ensure they are not being transported by criminals.
“We are there to know who and who is inside the vehicle and to be assured that the people have boarded the right vehicle and not the vehicles of these hoodlums who will take them to destinations where they are not supposed to be,” he said.