The new Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Mr. Adekimi Ojo, has cautioned officers and men of the command against engaging in extortion, illegal phone checks, and profiling of young people as internet fraudsters.
Speaking during his maiden address to Deputy Commissioners, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Unit heads in Ilorin on Friday, Ojo said the directive was in line with the instructions of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
He stressed that the command under his watch would not tolerate misconduct or violations of citizens’ rights.
“Any officer found interfering in civil matters, unlawfully searching citizens’ phones, or branding youths as Yahoo boys without evidence will face the most severe disciplinary action,” the police chief declared.
According to him, random phone checks on highways have been outlawed except in cases where a device has been duly identified as an exhibit in an ongoing investigation.
Ojo also reassured residents, particularly students and youths, that the command was committed to protecting their rights and dignity.
“The era of intimidation and wrongful profiling is over in Kwara State. We will operate strictly within the law, and I urge our young people to remain law-abiding,” he added.
Meanwhile, the command announced that enforcement of the tinted glass permit regulation will commence on October 2, 2025. Motorists without valid permits, or those found with fake or expired documents, will be charged to court within 24 hours.
Police spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, advised drivers to always carry their original permits and encouraged the public to report any cases of extortion during the enforcement exercise through the command’s complaint channels.
A similar warning had earlier been issued in January 2025 by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen-Otimeyin, who also reminded officers that only investigators working on specific cases are permitted to access citizens’ phones.
