Nigeria Police Have Power To Enter A Property Without Warrant – Spokesman
The Nigeria Police hierarchy has declared that its personnel have the authority to go into any property without a warrant if they suspect that a crime is taking place.
The Force Police Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated the position of the Force on Saturday, January 25, 2025 while reacting to a shocking video that sparked outrage, showing masked armed policemen in improper attire, invading a property without a warrant.
Adejobi while condemning the action of the yet to be identified police personnel that scaled the fence and fired shots to disperse people, however, said that the police have the authority to enter properties where they reasonably suspect a crime is being committed.
Adejobi quickly added, by condemning the actions of the officers involved, stressing that their behaviour was unacceptable.
In the video clip shared by @General_Somto and tagged, “What’s going on here???”, showed two masked policemen, wearing improper attire and carrying AK-47 rifles, and seen ordering the occupants of a house, whose location has not been confirmed, to open their gate.
The video also showed a young man telling the masked men that they cannot open the gate unless the hooded men show their faces and a search warrant.
The man, supposedly the owner of the house, said, “Imagine police people with facemasks come into my house to force our door, said that we are fraudsters.”
The hooded men were also heard saying, “You said, you no go open the gate? Ok!” and the occupants responded saying; “Yes, we are not going to open the gate to masked armed men. We don’t know you.”
Thereafter, the armed men cocked their guns and one released a shot, forcing the house occupants to run inside the house.
The hooded ‘policeman’ who fired the shot is then seen scaling the fence of the house and after gaining access into the compound, proceeded to open the gate for his colleague.
The blatant disregard for procedure and adherence to human rights have raised concerns about Nigeria police brutality and lack of accountability.
However, in his reaction, the spokesman of the Nigeria police said the police have the power to break into any house or place where they are reasonably convinced an offence is being committed, adding that it is understandable.
In the words of Adejobi; “But I am not too okay with their dressing and appearance. It is improper dressing. Policemen are not allowed to wear masks or tie head gear.
“These are 2 issues we need to iron out. What is the offence of the people to have warranted breaking in, and why this dressing?
“I wish I knew the location so that we could direct these questions to the men involved. However, I have shared the video with the PPROs to locate the men. We need to investigate the scene captured in the video. Thanks,” he explained.
