Stop-and-search: Police have right to check women’s belongings, says Delta PPRO

The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, has defended the actions of officers who conducted a thorough search of passengers’ belongings at a police checkpoint during a road trip from Benin to Owerri.

The incident in question involved a lady who shared her experience in a viral video posted on Wednesday, showing officers searching boxes, luggage, and sealed waybill packages belonging to passengers, including mothers and children.

The travellers were reportedly delayed for an hour due to the extensive search, according to her.

Responding to concerns raised about the search in a post via X on Thursday, Edafe stated that the police were within their rights to inspect all items, including waybills, during stop-and-search operations.

He emphasised that such searches were necessary for security reasons and questioned whether the same scrutiny would be applied if dangerous weapons had been discovered.

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“What if they had recovered Beretta pistols and ammunition while carrying out this thorough search? Would you be asking this question?” Edafe said.

He clarified that while male officers are not allowed to physically search a woman’s body, they have the authority to inspect her belongings.

“The police were right and can search all items, including waybills, during the course of stop-and-search duty. And yes, they can search the belongings of a woman. They are only not allowed to search a woman physically if they are male officers, but not their properties. Are we clear?” he added.