We didn’t ask Nigerians to beat officers searching their phones – Police

• A screenshot of the report credited to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun went viral on Sunday

The Nigeria Police Force has said there is no iota of truth in report claiming Nigerians have been instructed to physically assault and stone police officers, who request to search through their cell phones.

A screenshot of the report credited to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun went viral on Sunday.

The report is 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”.

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

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