A series of viral videos recorded early Saturday at the popular 7½ Junction in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State has sparked public outrage over alleged misconduct by police officers manning a checkpoint in the area.
The footage, shared by a concerned citizen, appears to show uniformed officers stopping young men and conducting searches of their mobile phones without consent. In one clip, an officer is seen standing at the rear of a police van while several young men wait nearby, with a soldier also present. The officer allegedly scrolls through their devices, opening personal applications, including banking apps—an action widely condemned as unlawful and a violation of privacy.
Another video shows a different officer seated inside a Hilux patrol vehicle examining a traveler’s documents while reportedly confiscating a laptop. The incident raised questions about the legal basis for stopping the individual and seizing personal property without a warrant or clear justification.
In a third clip, an officer is heard asking a colleague inside the police van to confirm money allegedly obtained from a traveler. The statement, “You don confirm the money?” has intensified accusations of extortion and abuse of power.
Under existing Nigerian police regulations, officers are prohibited from arbitrarily searching citizens’ phones or electronic devices at checkpoints without a valid warrant or reasonable suspicion supported by law. These rules have been repeatedly emphasized by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and are consistent with privacy protections enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Reacting to the incident, the Imo State Police Command announced that it has launched an investigation into the allegations. The Command also urged the affected individual to report the matter to its Complaint Response Unit (CRU), assuring the public that acts of extortion and rights violations will not be tolerated.
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The incident has renewed calls from civil society groups and citizens for stricter oversight of checkpoint operations and accountability within law enforcement agencies, as Nigerians continue to demand respect for fundamental human rights.