Delta Police Authorised to Search Individuals Without Warrant, Suspected Thief Paraded

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Asaba, Delta State – The Delta State Police Command has clarified that its officers are authorised to conduct searches on individuals’ pockets and bags without a warrant, as part of efforts to maintain public safety. This statement was made by SP Bright Edafe, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, via his X handle on Saturday, August 23, 2025, while parading a suspected thief caught with a firearm.

Police Powers to Search Without Warrant

In a detailed post on X, SP Edafe addressed public concerns about police searches, stating, “Do the police have the right to search you randomly without a search warrant? The answer is yes; search you and not your houses or your phones. But to search you, your bag, pockets, is allowed.” He explained that such measures are crucial for proactive policing, particularly when suspicious behaviour is observed.

Edafe shared a case to illustrate this authority. Akahi News learnt that operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) intercepted a young man, later identified as 39-year-old Bassey Udoh from Akwa Ibom, around 5 a.m. on DBS Road, near Don and Master in Asaba. The suspect was carrying a bag in a suspicious manner, prompting officers to conduct a search. The operation led to the recovery of a firearm, its magazine, and ammunition from Udoh’s bag.

Suspect Caught with Firearm

Edafe elaborated on the incident in a video shared on X, stating, “While operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Delta State Police Command were on their visibility patrol around DBS Road, just by Don and Master, they saw this young man carrying a bag, he was sighted in a suspicious manner, he was intercepted and searched. When his bag was searched, this gun was found in his bag, this is the magazine and these are the ammunitions that were recovered from him.”

The police spokesperson highlighted the importance of visibility patrols in curbing crime, noting that the suspect’s behaviour raised red flags. Further investigation revealed that Udoh was not only carrying an illegal firearm but was also involved in a series of generator thefts in the area.

Generator Theft Operation Uncovered

Akahi News gathered that Bassey Udoh, who has resided in Delta State for three years, confessed to stealing generators from homes over the past two months. Edafe disclosed, “Bassey Udoh did not only have this in his possession. In the course of our investigation, we discovered that he usually scales through the fence of people’s houses while they’re sleeping and steals their generator. At times, he uses the gate to come out or also take it out through the fence. The time of their operations is usually between the hours of 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.”

Udoh admitted to targeting at least nine homes, selling the stolen generators for N35,000 to N40,000 each. When questioned about the firearm, he claimed it was not for robbery but for “flexing” at a club. “I was holding it, I did not use it to rob. It was for showoff at a club. I put it in my waist,” Udoh said during interrogation.

Ongoing Investigation and Public Safety

The Delta State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to tackling crime through proactive measures like visibility patrols and lawful searches. SP Edafe’s statements underscore the legal backing for police to search individuals’ bags and pockets when suspicious activity is observed, provided it does not extend to private spaces like homes or personal devices without proper authorization.

Akahi News understands that the investigation into Bassey Udoh’s activities is ongoing, with authorities working to identify potential accomplices and buyers of the stolen generators. The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, particularly during early morning hours.

For more updates on crime and security in Delta State, visit Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org.