The Lagos State Police Command has defended the actions of a female officer featured in a viral stop-and-search video, insisting that her conduct was in line with the law.
The footage, which circulated on X on Sunday, showed a tense exchange between the officer and a woman during a routine search in the Festac area of Lagos.
In the clip posted by a user identified as dammiedammie35, the woman was seen challenging the officer while her personal belongings were being examined. She also resisted a request to remove her wig and questioned the necessity of the procedure.
The officer, in the video, was also heard instructing the woman to stop recording and delete the footage.
In its reaction, the Command said the officer’s actions were backed by the provisions of the Police Act 2020, which authorises officers to conduct stop-and-search operations in public places as part of efforts to maintain security and prevent crime.
It noted that established policing standards require female officers to carry out searches on women, adding that the procedure followed in the incident was appropriate.
The police further explained that thorough searches are sometimes necessary, as individuals may conceal illegal items in unlikely places such as wigs, clothing or personal effects.
While calling for public understanding, the Command urged residents to cooperate with officers during such checks, stressing that such collaboration is vital for effective policing.
The development mirrors an earlier stance by the Delta State Police Command, whose spokesperson, Bright Edafe, had in 2025 reiterated that officers are empowered to search commuters and their belongings at checkpoints.
However, recent judicial pronouncements suggest that citizens retain the right to document such encounters.
A Federal High Court sitting in Warri had, in March, affirmed that Nigerians could record police officers performing their duties in public.
In the ruling, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa held that law enforcement agents must not harass or intimidate individuals or confiscate devices used to record them in public spaces.
The incident also comes against the backdrop of a 2024 directive by the Nigeria Police Force mandating officers on stop-and-search duties to be properly dressed in uniform with visible identification tags.
