Checking of vehicle particulars is not a duty of an officer – Rivers Police Command

Tina Amanda

Some motorists have lamented the incessant checking of drivers’ particulars by men of the Nigerian police in Rivers State.

The motorists who stated this while fielding questions from our reporter Tina Amanda complained that most times they are being detained for hours, for failure to produce one paper or the other required by them.

According to them, police are supposed to be protecting lives and property, adding that the safety of road users are not guaranteed if police officers continue to get distracted from the main aim of being on the road.

They, however, called on relevant security agencies to urgently look into the matter, as it’s getting out of hand

Reacting to the matter, Public Relation Officer Rivers Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the law only allows police officers to conduct stop and search when there is an intelligence report of a stolen vehicle or reasonable suspicion.

“Every police officer is supposed to know the operational procedures because police regulations are been taught at the training college. Checking of vehicle particulars is not the main duty of an officer, but could be done base on an intelligent report of stolen vehicle or property which could lead to an arrest of the suspect”