IGP bans POS machines from police stations

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has banned point-of-sale (POS) machines and other electronic mobile money transaction devices around police stations nationwide.

The police boss noted that the use of the devices within police facilities poses significant risks, including the potential compromise of sensitive information, financial irregularities, and the facilitation of illicit activities.

The 59-year-old ordered that the strict adherence to the directive is non-negotiable for his officers.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, wants to maintain discipline in the Force [NPF] Pulse Nigeria

A similar directive was issued in the past after repeated complaints from Nigerians that POS devices make it easier for officers to extort them in the course of their duties. However, Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Monday, March 4, 2024 that some commands and formations have ignored it.

"The IGP urges all officers and personnel to comply with this directive without exception, and warns that any police officer or POS operator found contravening this order, or conniving to conduct illicit financial transactions will face appropriate disciplinary and criminal action in accordance with the extant laws and regulations, and the Command/Formation leadership will equally be held responsible," he said.

Police officers are notorious for extorting members of the public under the guise of performing their legal duties, and some have lost their jobs as a result. In some cases, the extortion operations have been traced to POS operators used by the officers in attempts to cover their tracks.

Last year, Adejobi, in an X post, blamed POS operators for encouraging corrupt police officers "to be more corrupt and wicked."

Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, blames POS operators for corrupting police officers [X/@Princemoye1] Pulse Nigeria

IGP Egbetokun believes the new directive will preserve the integrity and security of police operations, and limit corrupt practices, but it remains to be seen if his officers will ignore him like they've done to similar past directives.