IKEJA — In a major move to curb police brutality and extortion, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, has issued a final warning to all officers in the state: stop searching citizens’ phones on the road or face the consequences.
Speaking during a live radio interview on Melody FM, the CP made it clear that no officer has the legal right to stop a Nigerian on the street and demand to see their private digital messages or photos. He stated that any officer who suspects a phone contains criminal evidence must bring the individual to a police station to be handled by the Cyber Department, rather than conducting illegal “investigations” on the roadside.
“Record Them” — CP Backs Public Monitoring
Addressing one of the most common points of conflict between the police and the public, CP Fatai affirmed that citizens are legally allowed to record any officer on duty.
“Anybody can record any police officer at his duty post,” the CP declared. He argued that professional officers who are doing the right thing should have no reason to fear being filmed. He went even further, encouraging his men to also record their own operations to provide a transparent record of what actually happens during encounters with the public.
Detentions and Discipline
The Commissioner’s directive comes on the heels of several reports of harassment in areas like Ojuelegba, where officers were caught on camera attempting to seize phones and intimidate residents. CP Fatai confirmed that he has already ordered the detention of the officers involved in those incidents to serve as a warning to others.
“No policeman has the right to beat citizens,” the CP warned, reminding the force that the public are their “employers” whose taxes pay their salaries.
How to Report Misconduct
To ensure these orders are followed, the Lagos State Police Command has provided specific hotlines for residents to report illegal phone searches, harassment, or extortion immediately.
Official Lagos Police Hotlines:
- Command Complaint Response Unit (WhatsApp): 0911 111 1151
- Command Complaint Line: 0908 748 2365
- Emergency Contact Numbers:
- 0706 101 9374
- 0806 515 4338
- 0806 329 9264
- 0803 934 4870
- 0916 863 0929
- State Emergency Numbers: 767 or 112
Residents are advised to first contact the local Divisional Police Officer (DPO) or Area Commander if they face trouble. If the issue is not resolved, they should use the hotlines above to escalate the matter directly to the State Command.
