The Nigeria Police Force has reiterated that its officers are empowered by law to break down doors, scale fences, or enter through ceilings to arrest suspects who refuse to cooperate.
Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Victor Isuku, made this clarification on Sunday during an interactive session with the public at the premiere of Greatest Oath (The Rescue), a movie produced by Ocean Portal in collaboration with the police, in Benin, Edo State.
Isuku warned against obstructing officers during arrests, stressing that anyone who interferes risks being arrested as well.
“The Police can break down the door of an uncooperative suspect, enter through the roof, or scale the fence.
Don’t hinder the police from arresting a suspect; otherwise, you will also be arrested,” he said.
On phone searches, the spokesperson explained that officers are only permitted to check mobile devices if there is reasonable suspicion of cybercrime.
He added that the Inspector-General of Police considers indiscriminate phone searches and extortion by officers unethical.
He also reminded Nigerians that bail remains free and urged the public to carefully read and understand the contents of bail forms before signing them.
Speaking on broader challenges, Isuku admitted that poor funding hampers police operations and appealed to citizens to support the force by providing basic equipment rather than cash handouts.
Ocean Portal’s Chief Executive Officer, Dickson Oviase, said the movie project was inspired by the #EndSARS protests, which he noted exposed the consequences of a society without active police presence.
The spokesman of Zone Five, Tijani Momoh, added that the collaboration between the filmmakers and the police was aimed at boosting public awareness of the force’s commitment to ensuring safety and security across the country.