Police deny asking Nigerians to beat, stone officers searching their phones

The Nigeria Police Force has denied reports purporting that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun instructed Nigerians to physically assault and throw stones at police officers, who request to search through their cell phones.

A screenshot of a report titled, “Beat up any policeman who asks to check your phone, stone him if he has a gun, make sure you fight back because it is your right to have a phone”, and credited to the IGP went viral on Sunday.

Reacting, the Nigeria Police in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi described the report as fake.

According to the Force PRO, the claim “is entirely false and has no basis in reality’.

“The IGP has not issued any such directive encouraging violence against law enforcement officers.

“Instead, he has called on citizens to report instances of police misconduct through appropriate channels.

“This approach underscores the importance of accountability and maintaining the rule of law, rather than resorting to violent actions”, the statement added.