17th August, 2023
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos, on Thursday, found a handgun in a bag carried by young Nigerians in a tricycle.
Before the gun was uncovered, the young men resisted the search, claiming the police had no right.
Giving update on the incident, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that “They (the suspects) created a scene, physically fought the policemen, claiming the police had no right to search their bag. They alleged harassment.”
The Lagos PPRO added that “quick arrival of a backup team prevented the people from turning against the officers. Immediately backup arrived, two of them ran away, leaving these two and their tricycle behind. The bag was eventually searched and in it were found a locally made pistol, two live cartridges and a live 9mm ammunition. Investigation is in progress.”
In addition, for people who may want to question ‘a stop and search operation’, it must be known that the Police Act, 2020, gives the police enormous powers in crime detection, prevention and investigation, including the power to stop and search persons and vehicles.
Section 50 (4) of the Police Act. 2020, however, states the mandatory conditions that must exists or complied with before a Police Officer can exercise the power of stop and search.
It provides that “For any police officer to exercise the power to stop and search, he shall be in uniform or visibly wear a valid police identity card”.
In clear terms, once any officer wears a uniform and a valid ID card, the officer has the right to stop and search anyone, at anytime.