Concerned Nigerians have filed a formal petition against officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after a controversial video emerged online showing an officer stopping citizens, searching their mobile phones, and boldly claiming he had the authority to enter any residence without needing a warrant.
The alarming incident was initially shared on TikTok by user rotimistephenfilms, who expressed his shock and disappointment after coming across the footage. In the video, the NDLEA officer can be seen openly inspecting a citizen’s phone and confidently stating that he was permitted by law to do so and even to raid homes without any legal document or warrant.
In the viral clip, the officer is heard saying: “Yes, we’re allowed. I can enter your house anyhow without any warrant.” This statement quickly caused widespread outrage and concern among many Nigerians, prompting immediate reactions both online and offline.
Following this disturbing discovery, a man and his friends visited the NDLEA office to submit a formal petition against the actions of the officer. They documented their visit and shared a video to update the public on their efforts to demand accountability and clarification from the agency.
Their video was captioned: “Myself and my friends submitted a petition to the office of NDLEA against those officers searching through citizens’ phones @NDLEA Nigeria.”
One of the men in the video explained further: “On Saturday, I saw a video of some NDLEA officers conducting stop and search operations, going as far as to demand citizens unlock their phones for inspection.”
He continued: “What exactly is the work of NDLEA? What are their defined functions? What could they possibly be looking for inside someone’s private phone? We’re here to submit a petition to the NDLEA office to request detailed explanations and proper clarification of their legal boundaries.”
The video quickly gained traction online, and many concerned Nigerians flooded the comment sections with their opinions, frustrations, and support for the petitioners’ brave action in standing up against what they saw as abuse of power.
See some reactions below:
Barry Onyewhite: “these groups called NDLEA are worse than EFCC 💪💪.”
Adetola_morgan: “Omo dem go beat me tire bcos I no go give dem my fone …even police na swear I dey swear for dem.”
james007: “In Nigeria, Supermarkets security go soon start searching people’s phone, because anyone with whatever uniform they form power.”
𝓕𝓘𝓩𝓩𝓨_ ϝ𝐗𝔻: “NDLEA stop me on my way going to school and search my phone… they took my 40k.”
megzy007: “Their audacity to say he could enter people’s house without any warrant, our leaders are lawless so it won’t be surprising if their subordinate does.”
paulo: “let see what the new baby lawyer who was calling to bar we do, interesting battle?”
Ejbankz: “Wait oo.. what’s the relationship between National Drug Laws and Enforcement Agency and searching through phone. lol.”
you’d Huzein: “E get one woman wey dey talk for background.. E be like say make I fly from here go meet her 💔.”
riskier001: “NDLEA Dey search phone again, nothing Musa no go see for gate.”
wildmamba7: “All this force in Nigeria are after what in boys phone even I think if we are not careful na road safety go dey ask for phone now after showing your driving license.”
Prime: “I like this we can’t keep complaining without acting let encourage them at least even if Dey don’t win but this people should know their actions can be questionable.”
LUCKY: “I can’t even ask him if his allowed to search my phone because I know it’s illegal, I’m not giving him or asking him.”
Anietie: “The only way we can end this abuse is to take action whenever it occurs. If the agency does not take action we sue them and their personnel. Thank you guys for taking action.”
WATCH VIDEO:
@rotimistephenfilmsMyself and my friends submitted a petition to the office of NDLEA against those officers searching through citizens phones @NDLEA NIGERIA
♬ original sound – Rotimis01