Policemen Have Right To Break Doors, Climb Roofs To Arrest Uncooperative Suspects – Nigerian Police
The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Victor Isuku, said this during an interactive session with members of the public at the
premiere of Greatest Oath (The Rescue), a movie produced by Ocean Portal in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, held on Sunday in Benin, Edo State.
The Nigeria Police Force has said that officers have the right to enter premises in order to arrest uncooperative suspects.
The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Victor Isuku, said this during an interactive session with members of the public at the premiere of Greatest Oath (The Rescue), a movie produced by Ocean Portal in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, held on Sunday in Benin, Edo State.
According to him, officers can break doors, climb through roofs, or scale fences when suspects refuse to cooperate with lawful arrest procedures.
“The police can break down the door of an uncooperative suspect, enter his apartment through the roof, or get into his premises by scaling the fence. Don’t hinder the police from arresting a suspect, as you will also be arrested,” Isuku warned, according to PUNCH.
He cautioned members of the public against obstructing police officers during an arrest, noting that such interference is itself an arrestable offence.
On the contentious issue of phone searches, the Deputy PRO said that officers are only permitted to inspect mobile devices when there is reasonable suspicion of involvement in cybercrime.
“There are situations where a policeman can search your phone. If you are suspected of having committed a cybercrime, your phone will be checked.
“The police will not just stop you on the road and begin to search you, it is unethical. The IG frowns at such unethical practice,” he said.
Isuku also reminded Nigerians that bail remains free of charge and urged them to read the contents of bail forms carefully before signing.
He further appealed to the public to support the police with basic logistics equipment rather than giving officers money under any guise, stressing that funding challenges cut across all institutions in the country.
The Chief Executive of Ocean Portal, Dickson Oviase, said the film was inspired by the events of the #EndSARS protest, which he described as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s history.
“The movie is inspired and birthed from the outcry of the #EndSARS saga. The Police could not function in many states.
“The consciousness of the necessity of the presence of the Nigerian Police pervaded everywhere. For once, the vacuum of the absence of police in our society stared us in the face.
“Truth be told, there’s a need to show love to the Police and Vice-Versa as it will be chaotic if the police embark on an indefinite strike. Let’s come together and enhance community policing. God bless Nigeria,” Oviase said.
The Spokesman of Zone 5, Tijani Momoh, who was also present at the event, commended the collaboration between Ocean Portal and the Police Force.
He said the project would help raise awareness of the dedication and sacrifices of police officers in ensuring a safer Nigeria.
Momoh added that the Force provided logistics and equipment to support the production of the movie.
