IG bans POS machines at police stations

The Nigerian Police Force has reiterated its ban on the use of Point-of-Sale terminal machines, and other mobile money transaction devices within police stations and other police facilities across the country.

The NPF said the ban followed public outcry on alleged “illegal and illicit transactions through ‘point-of-sale’  machine operators and connivance with certain police operatives.”

This was contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Monday.

Adejobi said it had come to the attention of the police authorities that some commands and formations of the NPF continued to flout the regulation and that the ban was aimed at preserving the security and integrity of police operations.

“The IGP warns that any violation of this ban will attract severe sanctions on the leadership of the affected commands and formations. The IGP notes that the use of electronic payment devices within police facilities poses significant risks, including the potential compromise of sensitive information, financial irregularities, and the facilitation of illicit activities, therefore, strict adherence to this directive is non-negotiable,” Adejobi said.

The statement also quoted the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as urging all officers and personnel to “comply with this directive without exception and warns that any police officer or POS operator found contravening this order or conniving to conduct illicit financial transactions will face appropriate disciplinary and criminal action in accordance with the extant laws and regulations, and the Command/Formation leadership will equally be held responsible.”