The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Tijani Fatai, has issued a clear directive restricting officers from searching citizens’ mobile phones during routine operations, reinforcing a shift toward stricter adherence to policing guidelines and civil rights protection.
In a video shared by News Central TV on Tuesday, Fatai emphasised that police officers must operate strictly within the law and maintain professionalism when interacting with members of the public.
He stressed that lawful conduct should eliminate fear of public scrutiny, adding that both officers and citizens are entitled to record interactions during duty engagements.
According to him, accountability is a shared responsibility, and officers should not feel threatened when their actions are being recorded, provided they are acting appropriately.
Fatai further clarified that officers have been explicitly instructed not to search mobile phones during stops or checks, describing such practices as outside approved operational procedures.
He explained that police checks should instead focus on vehicles and passenger identification rather than personal devices.
The directive is part of broader efforts to improve trust between law enforcement agencies and the public in Lagos State, where concerns over abuse of power during stop-and-search operations have frequently been raised.
The police chief noted that officers are primarily tasked with ensuring that passengers are in legitimate transport vehicles and not at risk of being transported by criminals or hoodlums.
He added that roadside checks are intended to prevent kidnapping and other crimes by verifying movement patterns rather than invading personal privacy.
The new stance is expected to reinforce discipline within the force while addressing growing public concerns over digital privacy rights during police encounters.
