The Nigeria Police Force Police Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has said police personnel can break into any property without a warrant if they suspect that crime is going on there.
Adejobi said this on Saturday in reaction to a shocking video that has sparked outrage, showing masked armed policemen in improper attire, invading a property without a warrant.
The officers scaled the fence and fired shots to disperse people. This blatant disregard for protocol and human rights has raised concerns about police brutality and accountability.
In response, the Nigeria Police Force has condemned the actions of the officers involved, acknowledging that their behaviour was unacceptable. However, the police also emphasized their authority to enter properties where they reasonably suspect a crime is being committed.
In the video clip shared by @General_Somto and tagged, “What’s Going On Here???”, two masked policemen, wearing improper attire and carrying AK-47 rifles, are seen ordering the occupants of a house, whose location has not been confirmed, to open their gate.
A young man in the video is seen telling the masked men that they cannot open the gate for them unless they 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 masked policemen are overheard saying, “You said you no go open the gate? Ok!” The occupants of the house replied, 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. One of them is overheard urging others to “get down”.
The policeman who fired the shot is then seen scaling the fence of the house. After gaining access into the compound, he proceeded to open the gate for his colleague.
Reacting to it, Adejobi stated: “Let’s clarify an issue here. The police have the power to break into any house or place where they are reasonably convinced an offence is being committed. That is understandable.
“But I am not too ok 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 d PPROs to locate the men. We need to investigate the scene captured in the video. Thanks.
