Stop checking phones on the road, Force PRO tells cops

Authorities of the police have once again said its personnel have no right to check people’s phones arbitrarily on the road.

Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, reechoed the notice on Tuesday during an appearance on Sunrise Daily, a Channels TV programme.

He said, “Stop checking phones on the road. You can’t check somebody’s phone. It is his personal property. You cannot do it,” Adejobi said of an activity which Nigerians have repeatedly accused policemen of doing.”

The Force PRO was commenting on the activities of the police, recent disciplinary actions taken against some policemen for assaulting Nigerians, among other issues.

The police spokesman said the Force will continue to take necessary disciplinary actions against errant officers.

“So, if a policeman has done something wrong, every offence — disciplinary offence or criminal offence — has its punishment. If it is reduction in rank, we give it to you; if it is dismissal, we give to you; if it is severe reprimand, we give to you…

“But it is clear, how can a policeman stand on the road and be collecting money? It is not a disciplinary offence, it is a criminal offence. Corruption is a criminal offence. If you flog somebody, you assault somebody, it is a criminal offence,” Adejobi added.