The Delta State Police Command has clarified that its operatives have the right to search individuals’ pockets and bags without a warrant.

 

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, made this known on Saturday via his official X handle while parading a suspected thief arrested with a firearm.

 

“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,” Edafe stated.

 

According to him, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on visibility patrol along DBS Road in Asaba intercepted a man acting suspiciously around 5 a.m. When searched, a gun, magazine, and live ammunition were found in his bag.

 

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Bassey Udoh from Akwa Ibom, was later discovered to be a serial thief specializing in stealing generators from residential compounds in the early hours of the morning.

 

“During investigation, we discovered that Udoh usually scales fences into people’s houses while they are asleep and steals their generators. Sometimes he passes through the gate to move them out,” Edafe explained.

 

Udoh, who confessed to being in Delta State for three years, admitted to stealing generators from at least nine homes in the past two months. He claimed he sold the stolen items for between ₦35,000 and ₦40,000.

 

When questioned about the recovered firearm, the suspect denied using it for robbery, saying he only intended to “show off” with it at a nightclub.

 

“I was holding it, I did not use it to rob. It was for flexing at a club. I put it in my waist,” he said.

 

The police assured that investigation is ongoing and reiterated its warning against criminal activities in the state.