The Ogun State Police Command has clarified the circumstances under which law enforcement officers are permitted to conduct searches without a warrant, following public debate on police powers and citizens’ rights.
The command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Oluseyi Babaseyi, stated that Nigerian police officers are legally allowed to search individuals without obtaining a search warrant. However, he stressed that a warrant is required before police can lawfully search a building or private premises.
Babaseyi made the clarification in a post shared on social media platform X, where he referenced provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and existing legal frameworks governing police operations.
According to him, the law grants officers the authority to stop and search individuals when necessary, particularly in the course of crime prevention and investigation. He added that this power does not automatically extend to homes or other premises, where a search warrant issued by a competent authority is required, except in situations permitted by law.
The statement has sparked renewed discussions online about the balance between security enforcement and the protection of citizens’ rights, with legal experts urging both the police and the public to understand the limits of lawful searches under Nigerian law.
Civil rights advocates have repeatedly called for improved police training and public awareness to prevent abuse of stop-and-search powers, while the police maintain that such measures are essential for maintaining public safety and tackling crime.