By Uzair Adam
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has clarified that police officers have the legal authority to enter properties without a warrant if they reasonably suspect a crime is being committed.
Adejobi made the statement on Saturday while responding to a widely circulated video that has drawn public outrage.
The Daily Reality reports that the footage shows masked armed policemen in unprofessional attire storming a property, allegedly without a warrant.
In the video, shared by @General_Somto and tagged “What’s Going On Here???,” two masked officers carrying AK-47 rifles demanded access to a house, but the occupants refused, citing the absence of proper identification and a search warrant.
One of the occupants, believed to be the homeowner, said, “Imagine police people with facemasks come into my house to force our door, saying that we are fraudsters.”
The officers overheard threatening to enter by force, eventually fired a shot and scaled the fence. Once inside, one officer opened the gate for his colleague.
Reacting to the incident, ACP Adejobi stated, “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.
However, I am not too ok with their dress and appearance. Policemen are not allowed to wear masks or tie headgear.”
He further questioned the circumstances surrounding the invasion, saying, “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.”
The Nigeria Police Force condemned the officers’ actions, describing their conduct as unprofessional while assuring the public of an investigation into the matter.
Adejobi noted that the video had been forwarded to the relevant authorities to identify and hold the officers accountable.
The incident has reignited concerns about police brutality, human rights violations, and the need for accountability within the force.