Police have right to search lady’s bags – Delta PPRO

The Delta State Police Spokesperson, Bright Edafe, has defended officers who conduct ‘stop and search’ operations on passengers along expressways.

Edafe made this statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that sometimes during such stop-and-search operations, guns and other weapons are discovered hidden in pieces of luggage.

A lady had shared her experience while in transit, where police officers were searching bags and other belongings of passengers. They were reportedly delayed for over an hour while the policemen conducted the search.

Responding to concerns raised about the search in a post via X on Thursday, Edafe stated that the police were within their rights to inspect all items, including waybills, during stop-and-search operations.

Edafe said that, for security reasons, such stop-and-search operations are necessary.
He wrote, “What if they had recovered Beretta pistols and ammunition while carrying out this thorough search? Would you be asking this question?

“Though he said that male officers are not allowed to search a woman physically, if it is pieces of luggage or her bags, they can search those.

“The police were right and can search all items, including waybills, during 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 her property. Are we clear?” he added.