The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Olohundare Jimoh, bans officers and men of the State Command from conducting phone searches on the road
By Patrick Ogboru
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, has issued a firm directive prohibiting police officers and men under the State Command from stopping citizens on the road to arbitrarily search their mobile phones. The warning, which underscores a renewed commitment to professional policing, was delivered at a strategic meeting with senior command officers last week.
According to the CP Jimoh, key elements of the ban include, absolute ban on roadside phone searching. The Lagos State Police Command’s boss cautioned his officers and men unequivocally that stopping people especially youths on the street to demand access to their phones is unlawful. He stressed that phone searching must only occur within police stations and under proper investigative contexts, phone searching henceforth has also been limited to ongoing investigations.
The Commissioner said by the ban, mobile devices can only be examined by the police when they have been formally identified as exhibits in an ongoing case. Any other form of phone check on the road is to be treated as misconduct.
Other reasons adduced by Jimoh for the ban include professionalism and respect for human rights, whereupon he used the meeting to reinforce human rights norms, urging officers to uphold dignity and respect in their operations. He condemned harassment, extortion, and other unprofessional behaviors among police personnel.
Jimoh further warned that any officer found violating his directive by conducting unauthorized phone search on the road will face disciplinary sanctions.
While reaffirming the ban, Jimoh called on Lagos State residents to continue working with the police by providing credible information about crime. He underlined that policing must not come at the cost of citizens’ rights.
This is not the first time the Lagos Police Command has spoken out on this issue. In January 2024, former CP Fayoade Adegoke similarly declared that officers are not permitted to search citizens’ phones on the road, instructing that suspects be taken to a station and referred to the Cyber Unit for any phone-related investigations.
The new directive aligns with broader policing reforms under the current Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, centering on respect for human rights and professional conduct.
Civil society groups and youth-led organizations have welcomed the announcement, though some noted the real challenge lies in enforcement and ensuring that frontline officers comply.
The CP Jimoh’s announcement marks a strong stance against widespread complaints against police overreach. By formally banning roadside phone searches, the Lagos State Police is aiming to rebuild trust and demonstrate a commitment to lawful, rights-respecting policing.
