WATCH: LAGOS POLICE DEFEND FEMALE OFFICER IN VIRAL STOP-AND-SEARCH VIDEO, SAY ‘SEARCH LAWFUL’

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

The Lagos State Police Command has cleared a female officer of wrongdoing following a viral video on X showing a woman accusing the officer of inappropriate touching during a stop-and-search operation.

The video, shared on Sunday by a user identified as dammiedammie35, captured a visibly upset lady questioning the officer’s methods as her bags, pockets, and body were searched in the Festac area of the state.

“What’s the meaning of all these?” the lady asked, while also refusing the officer’s request to remove her wig.

In the footage, the policewoman was also seen instructing the lady to stop filming and delete the recording.

Responding via X on Sunday, the Command stated that the officer’s actions were in line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, which empowers officers to conduct searches in public for crime prevention.

“The Lagos State Police Command has taken cognisance of this viral video circulating. It is important to state that the action of the officer, as seen in the video, falls within the provisions of the Police Act, 2020, which empowers Police officers to stop and search individuals in public places in the course of crime prevention and public safety duties,” the statement read.

The Command stressed that standard procedure requires a female officer to search a female suspect or individual.

It also defended the thorough nature of the search, noting that individuals often conceal illegal items in “unconventional places,” and urged members of the public to cooperate during such operations.

The statement read, “Indeed, there have been several instances where individuals conceal illicit substances, weapons, or other incriminating items in unconventional places such as wigs, caps, clothing, and personal effects, necessitating thorough but lawful searches.

“The Command therefore urges members of the public to cooperate with the police whenever they find themselves in such situations, as such cooperation greatly enhances effective policing and crime prevention.”

The development follows a similar 2025 position by Delta State Police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, who maintained that officers have the right to search passengers’ belongings at checkpoints to ensure public safety.

However, while the officer in the video ordered the lady to stop filming, recent legal precedents suggest otherwise.

It was reported earlier in March that a Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, affirmed the constitutional right of Nigerians to record police officers during stop-and-search operations.

Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa ruled that officers must refrain from “harassing, intimidating, arresting, or confiscating devices from citizens who record their actions,” provided the officers are in a public space.

This also follows a 2024 directive from the Nigeria Police Force mandating that officers on such duties must be in uniform with visible name tags.

See video below.