The Nigeria Police Force has emphasized that officers performing stop-and-search duties must be in uniform, complete with visible name tags.

This declaration was made by the Force Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement shared on his official handle on Monday.

Adejobi’s statement comes in response to a video depicting four plainclothes policemen stopping a driver on the Lekki-Epe Express Way.

The officers were requesting the driver’s tinted permit, while the driver sought their identities, highlighting the absence of visible police markers.

In addressing the incident, Adejobi mentioned that the policemen involved “have been traced to Zone 2 and identified.” He further disclosed, “the AIG Zone 2 Lagos is investigating, while the PPRO Zone 2 will speak to it as soon as possible.”

Reiterating the police’s directive, Adejobi emphasized that officers engaged in routine patrols or stop-and-search operations must wear proper uniforms, allowing for easy identification.

He stressed that it is not advisable for officers to conduct stop-and-search operations while in plain clothes, emphasizing that such practices lead to misconduct when the officers’ identities are concealed.

He stated, “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.”

Adejobi also highlighted the specific roles for plainclothes officers, noting that they should be engaged in surveillance or undercover activities rather than visible stop-and-search operations, especially when carrying long-range guns or rifles.

He urged police divisional heads to enforce these guidelines to maintain professionalism and standardization within the force.

“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,” Adejobi said.

He added that “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 emphasise and enforce to bring sanity and standardisation.”

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