The Delta State Police Command has conveyed its support for officers to thoroughly search female passengers’ belongings. The officers searched at a police checkpoint and delayed the passengers for up to an hour.
The spokesperson for Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe, made this known while reacting to a circulating video showing some police officers conducting a stop-and-search.
According to the X user who posted the viral video on Wednesday, the incident happened along Benin-Owerri road. The video displayed a police officer searching boxes, luggage, and sealed waybill packages belonging to passengers.
The lady who posted the video lamented that it is inappropriate for a male police officer to search the belongings of female passengers.
However, Edafe through a post on X stated that the police can search all items during stop and search operations. He noted that such inspections are necessary for security reasons and protection of the citizens.
The spokesperson also clarified that while male officers are not permitted to search female bodies, they are allowed to search their belongings.
Meanwhile, the incident has sparked so many reactions from Nigerians, blaming the police for the way its officers searched the passengers. An X user, ” King of Salem” stressed that the search is inappropriate, outdated, and can cause a lack of freedom for citizens.
On the other hand, another X user “Richard YAO” remarked that the search is necessary for the safety of Nigerians. She added that the search is crucial in catching women involved in drug dealing since the police don’t have scanning machines.
