The Nigerian public has been told that the police can break into people’s homes in the course of their duties. This was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Saturday.
Writing on his on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Adejobi stated that the Nigerian law empowered police operatives to break into homes without a search warrant.
However, the statement has sparked a heated debate on X (formerly Twitter).
The controversy began when an X user, Somto Okonkwo, shared a video showing masked policemen forcefully entering a house by scaling the fence.
The video shows the officers firing shots after the occupants refused to open the gate of the house for them.
The police, numbering two, later gained access to the house by scaling the fence of the building.
On entering the house, the two masked and gun brandishing policemen were seen beating up the occupants of the house.
However, reacting to the viral video, an X user, Joseph Tobore, wrote that Adejobi’s statement contravened Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution.
Tobore said, “Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution is dead in the eyes of the police spokesman. Nigeria is in trouble if Prince can support breaking the laws and claim it’s their law. Be reminded that any law that is not in conformity with the Constitution is no law. Prince, I challenge you: educate Nigerians on Section 37 and ask yourself how this statement makes sense.”
Another x user identified as ‘Great Oracle Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary’ also questioned the police’s actions. He said, “How’s this consistent with the Force operations? Officers turned up masked, without a warrant, opened live rounds, and climbed (actually trespassed) into a property. And this is standard operation? An armed citizen would have shot this officer.”
In his comment, a netizen with X handle ‘Dipo’, also disagreed with Force PRO. He said, “Uniform is no longer proof of authority because criminals, bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers have been known to operate wearing the same uniform. Only professional conduct can validate true operatives.”
But responding to the backlash on X, the Force PRO defended the actions of the police. He stated, “The police have the power to break into any house. Or a place where they are reasonably convinced an offence is being committed.”
Adejobi added that breaking into homes was allowed in the law. He, however, explained that “all you need is to follow the procedure. “Powers to break in and break out, not only in the East, but it’s also the law of the land,” he said.
The explanation, however, did not go down well with some Nigerians.
An X user, Ben Samuel, was one of those that criticized Adejobi’s remarks. He wrote “Your statement lacks clarity, sir. The police do not have the authority to ‘break into any house or place’ without a valid warrant. There is no difference between the actions of these undisciplined officers and those of armed robbers. And they must face strict punishment for such misconduct. Legal duties cannot be carried out using unlawful methods.”
Not to be out done, the Force PRO added, “No matter how they review the law, no amendment would strip the police of its powers. They can only review the procedure of exercising its powers. And note that not in all cases do we require a warrant to search or arrest. Read the law and understand. There are many laws guiding the operations of the police, and they are sacrosanct,” Adejobi stated.
source: Punch
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