Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, ignited a contentious debate on social media on Saturday after asserting that Nigerian law grants police officers the authority to enter homes without a search warrant.
The debate was sparked when social media user, Somto Okonkwo, posted a video showing masked police officers forcibly entering a house by scaling its fence.
In the video, the officers fired shots after the occupants refused to open the gate for them. Despite the resistance, the police eventually gained access to the house by climbing the fence.
In response to the video, an X user, Joseph Tobore, argued that Adejobi’s statement contradicted Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. Tobore commented, “Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution is dead in the eyes of the police spokesman. Nigeria is in trouble if Prince can support breaking the laws and claim it’s their law. Be reminded that any law that is not in conformity with the Constitution is no law. Prince, I challenge you: educate Nigerians on Section 37 and ask yourself how this statement makes sense.”
Another user, known as ‘Great Oracle Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary,’ raised further concerns about the police’s actions, questioning, “How’s this consistent with the force operations? Officers turned up masked, without a warrant, opened live rounds, and climbed (actually trespassed) into a property—and this is standard operation? An armed citizen would have shot this officer.”
A user identified as ‘Dipo’ also weighed in, stating, “Uniform is no longer proof of authority because criminals, bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers have been known to operate wearing the same uniform. Only professional conduct can validate true operatives.”
This comment reflected growing concerns about the professional integrity of law enforcement in the face of rising insecurity.
Amid the growing criticism, Adejobi defended the police’s actions, stating that officers were empowered by the law to break into any property if they believed an offense was being committed. In his defense, he explained, “The police have the power to break into any house or place where they are reasonably convinced an offence is being committed.”
He added that this was permitted under the law, but emphasized the importance of following due process. “All you need is to follow the procedure. Powers to break in and break out, not only in the East, it’s the law of the land,” he asserted.
However, not all responses were in favor of Adejobi’s stance. X user Ben Samuel criticized the police spokesman’s remarks, accusing him of lack of clarity.
Samuel argued, “Your statement lacks clarity, sir. The police do not have the authority to ‘break into any house or place’ without a valid warrant. There is no difference between the actions of these undisciplined officers and those of armed robbers, and they must face strict punishment for such misconduct. Legal duties cannot be carried out using unlawful methods,” he wrote, urging for accountability and clarity regarding the police’s powers.
Despite the backlash, Adejobi remained firm in his defense of the police’s actions. He reiterated that no matter how the law was reviewed, the police would retain their powers. “No matter how they review the law, no amendment would strip the police of its powers.
They can only review the procedure of exercising its powers. And note that not in all cases do we require a warrant to search or arrest. Read the law and understand. There are many laws guiding the operations of the police, and they are sacrosanct,” Adejobi emphasized.
The controversy surrounding Adejobi’s comments highlights an ongoing debate about the balance of power between law enforcement and citizens’ rights. While some support the police’s authority to act without a warrant in certain circumstances, others argue that this could lead to abuses of power and violations of constitutional rights.
The backlash from various social media users underscores the concerns many Nigerians have about the conduct of law enforcement, particularly in the context of widespread insecurity and distrust in the police force.
As the debate continues to unfold, the issue of police powers, especially in relation to search and seizure, remains a highly sensitive and divisive topic in Nigeria.
Critics of Adejobi’s statements are calling for greater transparency, legal reform, and stricter accountability measures to ensure that law enforcement agencies adhere to constitutional standards and protect citizens’ rights. The conversation around the matter also brings to light broader concerns about the state of law enforcement in Nigeria, with many calling for reforms to address the growing distrust between the police and the public.
