The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, has ordered officers to cease searching mobile phones during stop-and-search operations, describing the practice as unauthorized under current policing guidelines. In a statement delivered via a video aired by News Central TV on Tuesday, Fatai emphasized adherence to professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights in police conduct. He affirmed that police officers carrying out lawful duties should not fear being recorded, stating that accountability is mutual between law enforcement and the public. "When we know that what we are doing is the right thing, we shouldn't entertain any fears of anybody recording us. You can record us. We can record you as well. It's on both sides," he said. Fatai reiterated that officers had been explicitly instructed not to inspect personal electronic devices, noting that their mandate during searches applies strictly to vehicles and related security checks. "Our men have been warned not to search any phone from any individual. We are there to search the vehicles," he stated. The directive underscores a shift toward more defined boundaries in police-civilian interactions, particularly regarding privacy rights. The commissioner did not announce any new enforcement measures but reaffirmed existing protocols. The statement is part of ongoing efforts to align police conduct with human rights standards. No specific incidents prompting the directive were cited in the statement.
The order against phone searches comes only after public scrutiny made such practices visible through recordings, suggesting compliance may depend more on exposure than internal discipline. If officers are now told they can't search phones, it confirms the practice was already widespread despite lacking legal backing. The assurance that police won't fear being filmed only matters if such recordings are preserved and ever lead to consequences. Without a system to verify compliance, the directive risks becoming a performance of reform rather than reform itself.
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