Nigerian police officers have been warned that they have no right to search phones or arrest women for indecent dressing.
A police officer headbutting a student recently after requesting to check his phone
Policemen have been warned by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu on Thursday that they have no right to stop people on the road and search their mobile phones, saying it is an infringement of the law.
Odumosu who spoke in Yoruba on Lagos Television’s programme ‘Owurolawa’ also said it is a criminal act for policemen to arrest young people for indecent dressing, dreadlocks or having tattoos on their bodies, saying any policeman who engages in that will be severely punished.
He said people are free to live their lives the way they want as long as they don’t violate the law.
According to him, since the assumption of office, over 20 policemen have been arrested and detained for committing one offence or another.
” We will not condone any act of indiscipline from policemen. Any policeman who violates the law will be severely punished. The law that applies to citizens also applies to policemen”.
” The law that says motorists must not drive against oncoming traffic also applies to policemen. Any policemen or soldier that drives against traffic will be arrested”
” If you see any policeman doing anything contrary to the law, my phone numbers are available. Just put a call through and we will act promptly on it” he said.
The CP who also said anyone using explosives and firecrackers during the Yuletide will be arrested said he can be reached directly on 08169589826.