In a critical effort of the police service commission and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to thoroughly get rid of the black sheep amongst the Nigerian police force who has been dragging the good name of the law enforcement agency to disrepute and to adequately revitalize the cliche “police is your friend”, the Nigeria police official spokesperson has again issued a public service statement advising citizens of Nigeria what and what a policeman have right and power to demand from a motorist when they are being stopped and what a policeman has no jurisdiction whatsoever or right to demand from a motorist when he’s being stopped.
In his Twitter handle, Mr. Monye stated that on no account should a policeman should demand the customs papers of a motorist. Except the police operatives are on joint operation with other relevant law enforcement agents who have the jurisdiction to conduct search and verifications of custom papers, but not just on mere routine checks.
The senior police officer also stated categorically that in line with the directive of the IG of Police, the police force have suspended the issuance of tinted glass permit, so a police officer is not expected to disturb or harass a driver of a vehicle for a tinted glass permit if the car is tinted.
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For the reason that time is money, the police spokesperson also emphasized that police officers are expected to be snappy in dealing with motorists in whatever operation they are on and it will amount to an intolerable offense for the police officers to delay any road user and any police officer reported will be severely dealt with.
Finally, the police spokesperson stated that the only documents a police officer are to demand from a driver if need be are;
- vehicle licence,
- certificate of insurance and
- drivers license”.
Anything outside this is beyond the jurisdiction of a police officer
Citizens are expected to discharge their civic responsibilities and report any police officer found harassing them or any other person or causing unnecessary delays or any police officer stepping out of his jurisdiction to ask for what he has no right to demand from a motorist.
Citizens should call any of these lines to report any police officer that is found displaying foul play: 0805 700 0002, 0805 700 0001