Man Slumps After Slapped By Police Officer For Refusing A Phone Check In Lagos.
According to online sources, the incident occurred at Ojodu Abiodun when the officer couldn’t access the mobile device because it needed a passcode and the man refused to provide the code when the officer asked for it.
The victim, who lost consciousness after being hit in the head multiple times by the angry policeman for refusing a phone check, was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital by onlookers.
This report is coming few months after the Nigerian police said that it is wrong for any police officer to request for citizens’ phone. The police said officers have no right to search mobile phones of citizens whenever on routine stop and search on Nigerian road.
The Lagos state police spokesperson Dolapo Badmus in video said phones are private belonging and citizens deserve a right to their privacy. Badmus said:
“Your phone is private; it’s your private property because people do a lot of private stuffs on their mobile phones so it’s wrong.
“Police officers have no right to do that except there is a reasonable ground to do”
Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone II Kayode Aderanti also warned police operatives against harassing Nigerians and checking of phones.
Aderanti said: “Already, the commissioners of police in Lagos and Ogun States are working in partnership with the inspector general of police’ anti-kidnapping unit.
“Also, there has been an increase in cultism in Lagos and I charge policemen to take up the responsibility and ensure their effrontery is reduced to the barest minimum.
“Illegal duty by policemen has reached an alarming proportion and is highly unprofessional. It needs to be nipped in the bud. Some of them operate in unmarked vehicles, harassing people and searching through their phones. That must stop as violators will be severely dealt with.
“The current Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has zero tolerance for corruption and official misconduct.
“Whosoever requests money for bail or to register people’s complaints is on his own and they will be tackled appropriately. I warn again, don’t demand gratification from members of the public.”
