Nigerians can search police officers, says IGP
Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police, says police officers must first surrender themselves to be searched before they search Nigerians.
He said this is the “procedure.”
Idris said this during an interactive session with Nigerians on Twitter, with the hash tag #AskThePolice.
“If an officer wants to search you in your house/car, he must first surrender himself for searching. This is the procedure. Ask politely,” he said in response to a question.
The statement, however, generated reactions from Twitter users, with soIGP: Nigerians me hinting at the risk in doing so.
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
If an officer wants to search you in your house/ car, he must first surrender himself for searching. This is the procedure. Ask politely. #AskThePolice
tHe environMANtalist@tickin_clocksImagine me searching SARS
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
If an officer wants to search you in your house/ car, he must first surrender himself for searching. This is the procedure. Ask politely. #AskThePolice
Black Jėfe@yemiieeOne thousand ways to die
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
If an officer wants to search you in your house/ car, he must first surrender himself for searching. This is the procedure. Ask politely. #AskThePolice
Mhithi Jespersen@mhithi_Lmao, you people want to put us on transmission…
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
If an officer wants to search you in your house/ car, he must first surrender himself for searching. This is the procedure. Ask politely. #AskThePolice
S. Adeniyi Ajose Esq@niggazoidI am a lawyer and I know all these things but truth be told, they are all theoritical. Police men who wouldn’t even avail you with their ID card, are they the one’s that will give themselves up for searching. They go as far to plant things in people’s property to squeeze them.
The IGP also said the ‘transmission’ video of him that has been circulating on social media was “doctored.”
In the “embarrassing” video, Idris finds it difficult to pronounce some words, constantly repeating the words “I mean’ and ‘transmission”.
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
Thank you for your question. Yes it was doctored. #AskThePolice https://twitter.com/olajidenigeria/status/997142169965289478 …
Furthermore, asked if it is legal for police officers to search people’s phones without warrant, the IGP said: “It is not ideal for Officers to search your phones without a complaint. It is not professional.
“Officers have been lectured not to unnecessarily search people’s phones without any case or complaint against the person.”
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
It is not ideal for Officers to search your phones without a complaint. It is not professional. Officers have been lectured not to unnecessarily search people’s phones without any case or complaint against the person. #AskThePolice https://twitter.com/SantosTHEBOSS/status/997144812208914432 …
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
It is not ideal for a Police officer to take someone’s phone and start flipping through without any complaint. We discourage this and we are looking into it. #AskThePolice https://twitter.com/VillageParrot/status/997142900176760832 …
Below are some other issues raised during the question session:
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
Yes it is free. Log online, upload your vehicle particulars, and proceed to the nearest command for your printout. (http://www.npf.gov.ng ) #AskThePolice https://twitter.com/OkogbeE/status/997142026763284480 …
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
Very soon. An approval must be given by @AsoRock. Once the force is through with the current recruitment of 6,000 constables, the next would be the Officer Cadets. #AskThePolice https://twitter.com/Terna110/status/997126399222845442 …
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
I did not refuse to honor the @NGRSenate‘s invitation. In fact I promptly responded by delegating the DIG Operations at the first invitation while I was away with Mr President in Bauchi on an official assignment. #AskThePolice https://twitter.com/ikodu_boie/status/997143315031113728 …
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
I did not refuse to honor the @NGRSenate‘s invitation. In fact I promptly responded by delegating the DIG Operations at the first invitation while I was away with Mr President in Bauchi on an official assignment. #AskThePolice https://twitter.com/ikodu_boie/status/997143315031113728 …
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
At the second invitation, I was at Birnin Gwari for an operational on the spot security assessment. My DIG Research and Planning was delegated to brief the Senate on my behalf, which is allowed by the Constitution and the Police Act and Regulations. #AskThePolice
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
We have implemented a reformed dressing code for F-SARS:
– A P-cap with F-SARS on it
– A jacket/ T-Shirt with F-SARS and the location/ State inscribed at the back
– The name of the officer is written on the chest for easy identification #AskThePolice https://twitter.com/toborey/status/997143376754552832 …
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
SARS under my leadership has been reformed. We do not have SARS as it used to be, but now Federal SARS under the watch of a Commissioner of Police – as against state commanders. Officers are equally being trained on Human Rights, and we are very serious about this. #AskThePolice https://twitter.com/daniel_ochang/status/997128694333394950 …
Nigeria Police Force✔@PoliceNG
I have warned officers to respect the rights of Nigerians. Any personnel of F-SARS found wanting, and commits any unprofessional conduct is dealt with accordingly. I can confirm that several officers from Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Delta have been disciplined. #AskThePolice
