The Spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has reminded his men and the general public that police officers on routine stop and search operations must be in uniform.
The police PRO said this in a tweet on Monday when he explained that it is not ideal to carry out stop-and-search operations while in mufti.
Adejobi stated that officers allowed to wear mufti are those on surveillance or undercover operations. He further detailed that such officials should not be seen with long-range guns or rifles.
Adejobi wrote, “You will recall that we have ordered and announced that any policeman embarking on routine patrol or stop and search must be in uniform, properly dressed, and easily identified. It’s not ideal to carry out a stop and search in mufti. The audacity to misbehave or carry out unprofessional conduct comes when you know your identity is hidden and unknown.
“I still reiterate that policemen on stop and search and routine patrol must be in uniform. That is the standard in the police. Policemen in mufti are supposed to be on surveillance or undercover and not to be seen with long-range guns or rifles. This is what our DPOs and HODs should emphasize and enforce to bring sanity and standardisation.”
A video trended over the weekend showing some men in mufti, alighting from a mini bus with no plate number.
They double crossed a driver and ordered him to come down And follow them.
The motorist insisted he would not obey it they do not show him their ID card. He queried why they are in mufti and why they were chasing him in a care with no plate number.
Unable to coerce him to obey and not willing to identify themselves, the men drove away.
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