The Nigeria Police Force has mandated that officers conducting stop-and-search duties must be in uniform with clearly attached names. The Force Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, issued this directive in response to a video showing four plainclothes policemen stopping a driver on Lekki-Epe Express Way.
In the video, the driver questioned the officers’ identities, as there was no indication they were policemen.
Adejobi mentioned that the officers were traced to Zone 2, and the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge is investigating, with the Zone 2 Police Public Relations Officer set to provide updates.
Adejobi stressed that the NPF has ordered officers on routine patrol or stop-and-search to be in uniform, properly dressed, and easily identifiable.
He emphasized that it is not appropriate for officers to conduct stop-and-search operations while in mufti, as this can lead to unprofessional conduct due to hidden identities.
According to Adejobi, officers in mufti should focus on surveillance or undercover work and avoid being seen with long-range guns.
He urged Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Heads of Departments (HODs) to enforce these standards to maintain professionalism and standardization within the force.
