Lagos Police Ban Officers From Searching Citizens’ Phones During Operations

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, has issued a firm directive prohibiting officers from searching citizens’ mobile phones during stop-and-search operations, stressing that such practices are not permitted under existing policing rules.

The directive was issued in a video statement shared on Tuesday, outlining new operational standards for officers of the Nigeria Police Force deployed across Lagos State. The move is aimed at improving professionalism, strengthening accountability, and reducing public complaints during police encounters.

The police chief made it clear that officers are strictly barred from inspecting or searching civilians’ mobile phones during any operation. He stated that enforcement duties must remain within legal limits and focus only on approved procedures.

“Our men have been warned not to search any phone from any individual. We are there to search vehicles,” he said.

He explained that stop-and-search operations are primarily designed to check vehicles and verify passengers to prevent citizens from unknowingly entering vehicles operated by criminals. According to him, the focus of policing should remain on security threats and not personal digital devices.

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The Commissioner also addressed concerns about public recording of police officers, stating that officers should not be afraid of being filmed while carrying out lawful duties. He emphasised that transparency is part of modern policing.

“When we know that what we are doing is the right thing, we shouldn’t entertain any fears of anybody recording us. You can record us. We can record you as well,” he said.

He added that accountability must be mutual, noting that both officers and citizens are entitled to record interactions during official engagements as long as operations remain lawful.

The directive forms part of broader reforms within the Nigeria Police Force aimed at improving professionalism and reducing allegations of misconduct, harassment, and abuse of power during routine stop-and-search operations.

Security analysts say the decision aligns with growing calls for stronger police accountability in Nigeria and better respect for constitutional protections, especially regarding digital privacy rights in Nigeria.

Under the new directive, officers are prohibited from searching citizens’ phones, stop-and-search duties must focus strictly on vehicles, citizens are allowed to record police officers on duty, and officers are required to operate within approved legal boundaries at all times.

The Commissioner said the policy is also intended to build trust between the police and the public, particularly in Lagos, where stop-and-search operations are common due to heavy traffic flow and urban security challenges.

He urged officers to remain disciplined and professional, stressing that effective policing must balance security responsibilities with respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The development is widely seen as part of ongoing efforts to reform policing standards in Nigeria, improve public confidence in law enforcement, and reduce friction between officers and citizens during field operations.

Lagos Police Ban Officers From Searching Citizens’ Phones During Operations

Lagos Sanitation Exercise Returns: Key Things Residents Should Know

The Lagos State Government has reintroduced its monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with the first statewide enforcement scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, as part of renewed efforts to improve cleanliness and tackle waste management challenges across the state.

The programme is a return of the monthly sanitation exercise in Lagos, which had been suspended since 2016, and will now be held every last Saturday of the month between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

When the Sanitation Exercise Will Hold

According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the exercise will take place monthly, with a fixed time window from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. during which residents are expected to remain indoors and clean their surroundings.

The government says the designated period is meant to allow households, businesses, and communities to carry out proper cleaning of homes, streets, drainages, and public spaces.

Movement Restrictions During the Exercise

A key feature of the exercise is the enforcement of controlled movement across Lagos during the sanitation hours. Authorities say movement will be restricted, except for essential services such as emergency medical care, security operations, and critical duties.

The state government insists that compliance with the Lagos environmental sanitation law is compulsory and will be strictly monitored across all local government areas.

Agencies Involved in Enforcement

Several government agencies will jointly enforce compliance during the exercise. They include the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), and local government environmental inspectors.

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These teams will carry out inspections before, during, and after the exercise to ensure residents comply with sanitation directives.

Officials warned that defaulters risk sanctions under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017, which may include fines or other penalties.

Waste Collection and Clean-Up Support

To support the exercise, LAWMA will deploy intervention trucks across the state to collect bagged waste generated during cleaning activities. This is to ensure that waste is properly disposed of and does not return to the environment after the exercise.

The government also introduced a reward system to encourage participation, with awards planned for the cleanest Local Government Area, Local Council Development Area, and cleanest street.

Why the Exercise Has Been Reintroduced

The sanitation exercise was reintroduced following concerns over rising cases of indiscriminate waste disposal in Lagos, blocked drainage systems, and recurring flooding in several parts of the state.

Officials say the programme is part of broader efforts to improve public health, reduce environmental pollution, and promote sustainable urban living in Africa’s largest city.

The exercise was last held before it was suspended in November 2016 due to legal restrictions on statewide movement during sanitation hours.

What Residents Are Expected to Do

Residents are expected to clean their homes, surroundings, and drainage channels during the exercise period. The government has urged full participation, stressing that environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility.

Authorities also appealed to Lagosians to cooperate with enforcement officers and avoid actions that could lead to penalties.

“We urge all residents to take ownership of this exercise and support efforts to build a cleaner, safer and more sustainable Lagos,” Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab said.

Lagos Sanitation Exercise Returns: Key Things Residents Should Know

Troops Kill Two Gunmen in Plateau Ambush, Recover Weapons 

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have intensified security operations in Plateau State, killing two suspected armed men during a coordinated ambush in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area following credible intelligence on criminal movements.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Joint Task Force Media Information Officer, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, confirmed that the operation took place at about 7:49 pm on Tuesday near Doruwa Babuje in the Marit general area—one of the flashpoints of recurring attacks in the state.

According to the military, troops acted on intelligence reports indicating the movement of gunmen allegedly responsible for recent attacks on local communities. The soldiers laid an ambush and engaged the suspects upon sighting them.

“In the ensuing firefight, two armed gunmen were neutralised, while several others fled into the surrounding bushes under the cover of darkness,” the statement said.

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A search of the area led to the recovery of weapons and other items, including a locally fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, a cutlass, a jackknife, and a mobile phone. The recovered items are expected to aid ongoing intelligence efforts to track down fleeing suspects and dismantle criminal networks.

Troops have since maintained a strong presence across the Marit and Lajam axis, conducting patrols and surveillance operations to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of residents.

Operation Enduring Peace, involving personnel of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, continues to play a key role in tackling insecurity in Plateau State, where communities have faced persistent threats from armed groups, bandits, and communal clashes.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, as the military reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and restoring peace across affected areas.

The latest operation highlights ongoing military operations in Nigeria aimed at curbing violent crime, restoring order, and strengthening security in volatile regions.

Troops Kill Two Gunmen in Plateau Ambush, Recover Weapons