Residence, Group Decries Unprofessional Conducts By Police In Edo

Edo – Despite directive by the Force headquarters, that operatives should stop the indiscriminate search of citizens mobile phones and laptops, the police in Edo, especially  Benin city still act in defiance to the directive.

Some  operatives  stationed at  Oba Ovoramwen Square popularly known as Ring Road, others  attached to the various police patrol teams and that of the state security outfit code-named ‘Operation Wabaizingan’ as well as those operating in unmarked vehicles  still stop and search  residence’s gadgets in the guise of looking out  for ‘evidence’.

The police had directed his men to stop the indiscriminate search of citizens handsets and laptops unless it is directly linked to a case or directed by the Inspector General of Police or any person or persons he so delegated, following reports of unprofessional conduct of  some operatives attached to the now reformed Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).

However, it seems the directive is not binding on the police in Benin city, as some operatives continue with the stop and search of these gadgets mostly  belonging to youths wearing dreadlocks, tattoo and  those riding ‘flashy’ cars who they suspect of internet fraud.

A student of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) who declined to mention his name, said he was forced to part with some amount of money after 3 plain clothes operatives inside an unmarked  Audi Car blocked the taxi he was in along Mission road, asked him to highlight from the vehicle, then accused him of being a ‘yahoo boy’ because of the tattoo on his left arm.

Narrating his experience, the 300-level student of the Sociology department explained that, the operatives threatened to shoot him when he initially resisted them from gaining access to his mobile-phone, but later succumb to pressure after they told him they have been looking for him.

“I have no choice than to bail myself with the little money in my account because they were ready to do anything that day. I was scared.”, the undergraduate said.

Also, operatives attached  to ‘Operation Wabaizigan’ stopped a young man along Sapele Road who came out from one of the new generation bank, as they were allegedly demanding some part of the money he had gone to withdraw, after going through his phone.

The operatives have to abandon their victim and drove-off  upon sighting passers-by with their mobile phones camera filming the scene, a move which made many viewed the act as illegal since they could not take him away for further interrogation.

According to one  eyewitness, Some  operatives  on mufty , in a car without  plate number  chased a vehicle with a young man they  suspected to be an internet fraudster (yahoo boy)  along Upper Sokponba Road, shooting sporadically into the air around ABICO junction, causing panic in the area.

A residence was stopped by an operative among those stationed  adjacent the National Museum and Urhokpota Hall in the heart of the state capital, searched his bag, phone, and laptop before he was allowed to go.

The residence who declined to give his name decry  the search by the operative, though he agreed that, the action was not out of place, adding, it was conducted unprofessionally.

“Even after  explaining himself that I am scheduled for a job interview, they insist on searching, but later found nothing. i was an hour late for scheduled interview as a result, the residence lamented.

Only recently, some operatives assaulted  a popular television show (Vbosunu) producer and a cameraman along Airport road.

The trend have however draw condemnation from individuals and rights groups, notably the Edo Civil Society Organisations, a network of civil society groups in the state which described the trend as “worrisome”.

The activists accused  the police of preoccupying themselves with the chase of internet fraudsters, instead of re-strategizing ways on how  to perform their constitutional roles, in the face of rising insecurity.

The activists urged the Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Mohammed to as a matter of public interest inaugurate a Public Complaint Desk at the state command in collaboration with the civil society and the Nigerian Bar Association to stem the ugly tide.

When contacted to know the measures put in place to check the trend, the command spokesperson, ASP Chidi Nwabuzor said he could not speak, that he was on his way to a late colleague’s burial ceremony.

Recalled Nigerians took to their social media accounts to narrate their experiences with the police, following the extra-judicial killing of Kolade Johnson in Lagos by a SARS operative who has since been  dismissed  from the Force after he was found guilty during an orderly room trial.