The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, has reiterated the directive that all policemen engaged in routine patrol or stop-and-search must be in uniform and easily identifiable.
Adejobi’s announcement on Monday, January 29, came in response to a viral video showing a policeman in mufti conducting stop-and-search.
The FPRO emphasized that officers in plainclothes should be reserved for surveillance or undercover operations, avoiding the display of long-range guns or rifles.
Responding to a user’s inquiry on social media, where #Mrklassiq_ questioned the audacity of a policeman in mufti, Adejobi stated, “It’s not ideal to carry out a stop and search in mufti.
The audacity to misbehave or carry out unprofessional conduct comes when you know your identity is hidden and unknown.”
Adejobi further reinforced the standardization of uniformed presence during routine patrol and stop-and-search operations, highlighting the importance of accountability and maintaining a professional image.
He urged Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Heads of Departments (HODs), to enforce these guidelines to ensure consistency and adherence to standards.
