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By John Ogunsemore
The Lagos State Police Command has defended its personnel after a video circulated on social media showing a lady being frisked by a female police officer on the streets.
SunOnline gathered that the incident occurred in FESTAC town in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of the state.
In the 1.06-minute video, the female police officer is seen rummaging through the lady’s bag and pockets of her trousers.
The lady can be heard asking if the female cop wanted to strip her, indicating she was uncomfortable with the search.
The encounter got heated after the female police officer ordered the lady to remove her wig for inspection, to which the lady objected, saying, “I should open my wig? For what? I cannot open my wig.”
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The video sparked widespread backlash on social media, with many users saying the body search crossed the line from legitimate policing into harassment.
In a Sunday reaction via its verified X handle, the Lagos police command said the police are empowered to search individuals in the course of crime prevention and public safety duties.
The post reads, “The Lagos State Police Command has taken cognisance of this viral video circulating.
“It is important to state that the action of the officer, as seen in the video, falls within the provisions of the Police Act, 2020, which empowers Police officers to stop and search individuals in public places in the course of crime prevention and public safety duties.
“The established policing procedures provide that a female suspect or individual must be searched by a female officer.
“Indeed, there have been several instances where individuals conceal illicit substances, weapons, or other incriminating items in unconventional places such as wigs, caps, clothing, and personal effects, necessitating thorough but lawful searches.”
The command therefore urged members of the public to cooperate with the police whenever they find themselves in such situations, as such cooperation greatly enhances effective policing and crime prevention.
