Drive Society Family members Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Saturday, sparked a sizzling debate on X (previously Twitter) later mentioning that the Nigerian regulation empowered police operatives to split into properties with out a seek warrant.
The debate started when an X consumer, Somto Okonkwo, shared a video appearing masked policemen forcefully getting into a area via scaling the fence.
The video displays the officials firing photographs later the occupants refused to not hidden the gate of the home for them.
However the police nearest received get admission to to the development via scaling the fence.
Reacting to the video, an X consumer, Joseph Tobore, Adejobi’s remark contravened Category 37 of the 1999 Charter.
He stated, “Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution is dead in the eyes of the police spokesman. Nigeria is in trouble if Prince can support breaking the laws and claim it’s their law. Be reminded that any law that is not in conformity with the Constitution is no law. Prince, I challenge you: educate Nigerians on Section 37 and ask yourself how this statement makes sense.”
Some other x consumer recognized as ‘Great Oracle Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary’ wondered the police’s movements, announcing, “How’s this consistent with the force operations? Officers turned up masked, without a warrant, opened live rounds, and climbed (actually trespassed) into a property—and this is standard operation? An armed citizen would have shot this officer.”
In his remark, a netizen with X take care of ‘Dipo’, stated, “Uniform is no longer proof of authority because criminals, bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers have been known to operate wearing the same uniform. Only professional conduct can validate true operatives.”
Responding to the backlash, Adejobi defended the movements of the police, mentioning, “The police have the power to break into any house or place where they are reasonably convinced an offence is being committed.”
He additional defined that breaking into properties used to be allowed within the regulation, with a warning that “all you need is to follow the procedure. Powers to break in and break out, not only in the East, it’s the law of the land.”
Then again, an X consumer, Ben Samuel, criticised Adejobi’s remarks, announcing “Your statement lacks clarity, sir. The police do not have the authority to ‘break into any house or place’ without a valid warrant. There is no difference between the actions of these undisciplined officers and those of armed robbers, and they must face strict punishment for such misconduct. Legal duties cannot be carried out using unlawful methods,” he wrote.
However the Drive PRO additional stated, “No matter how they review the law, no amendment would strip the police of its powers. They can only review the procedure of exercising its powers. And note that not in all cases do we require a warrant to search or arrest. Read the law and understand. There are many laws guiding the operations of the police, and they are sacrosanct.”