SP Bright Edafe, spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, has defended officers who searched passengers’ baggage at a police checkpoint on a road trip from Benin to Owerri.
The event in question involves a woman who documented her experience in a viral video posted on Wednesday, which showed officials checking boxes, bags, and sealed waybill items belonging to people, including mothers and children.
According to her, the extensive search caused an hour’s delay for the travellers.
Edafe responded to concerns over the search in a post on Thursday via X, stating that the police have the right to investigate all objects, including waybills, during stop-and-search operations.
He stressed that such searches were important for security reasons and asked whether the same scrutiny would be applied if hazardous weapons were uncovered.
“What if they had recovered Beretta pistols and ammunition while carrying out this thorough search? Would you be asking this question?” Edafe said.
Edafe clarified that while male officers are not allowed to physically search a woman’s body, they have the authority to inspect her belongings.
“The police were right and can search all items, including waybills, during the course of stop-and-search duty. And yes, they can search the belongings of a woman.
“They are only not allowed to search a woman physically if they are male officers, but not their properties. Are we clear?” he added.
