Lagos Police Reaffirm Ban on Phone Searches

By Babatunji Wusu

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, has restated that officers on lawful duty must not search citizens’ mobile phones. He also assured residents that Lagos police operations remain open, transparent, and subject to public scrutiny.

Fatai highlighted that officers who act within the law have no reason to fear being recorded. He stressed that accountability applies to both sides, encouraging openness during interactions. “I want you to know that what we are doing is the right thing. We are not entertaining any fear at all of anybody recording us. You can record us. We can record you as well.It’s on both sides. So we are not entertaining any fear. Anybody can record any police officer at his duty post in as much as he is doing the right thing. You have nothing to fear about recording. So anybody can record us while we are carrying out our lawful duty.”

He clarified that police duties focus on vehicle checks and commuter safety, not personal privacy. Officers have received strict orders to avoid searching phones and instead concentrate on identifying passengers and ensuring they board safe vehicles. “Our men have been warned not to search any phone from any individual. We are there to search the vehicles. We are there to know who is inside the vehicle and to be assured that the people have boarded the right vehicle and not the vehicles of these hoodlums who will take them to the destination where they are not supposed to be.”

The commissioner added that Lagos police operations are designed to protect lives and prevent passengers from falling victim to criminal acts. He urged officers to follow these directives fully at all times.

Do you think stronger compliance will build greater public trust in Lagos police operations?