Dare Babalola
The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed allegations of misconduct against a female officer featured in a widely circulated video, insisting that her actions during a stop-and-search operation were lawful and in line with existing regulations.
The clip, which surfaced on social media platform X on Sunday, captured a tense exchange between the officer and a woman who protested the manner in which she was searched in the Festac area of Lagos.
In the footage, the visibly aggrieved woman questioned the officer’s approach as her personal belongings and body were examined, at one point resisting a directive to remove her wig.
The officer was also seen instructing her to stop recording and delete the video, further escalating the confrontation.
Reacting to the development, the police command, in a statement on its official X account, stated that the officer acted within the framework of the Police Act 2020, which authorises officers to carry out stop-and-search duties in public spaces as part of crime prevention efforts.
Authorities also noted that standard procedure mandates that female individuals be searched by female officers, a guideline they said was observed in this instance.
The command defended the thoroughness of such searches, explaining that suspects often conceal prohibited items in unexpected places, including wigs, clothing, and other personal effects.
It urged members of the public to cooperate with officers during such exercises, stressing that compliance enhances safety and supports effective policing.
