Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, has ordered that point-of-sale (POS) machines and other electronic mobile money transaction devices be turned off at police stations and other police facilities across the country.
Egbetokun stated that the restriction became necessary after a public uproar over alleged illegal and illicit transactions between POS machine operators and certain police officers.
The police chief, speaking through the force’s spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the prohibition was intended to protect the integrity and security of police operations.
He emphasized that the directive was also intended to prevent apparent corrupt activities, as well as to rid Commands or Formations of potential criminal entry under such pretense while maintaining Force discipline.
The chief cop stated that any command or formation detected violating the order would be harshly punished, while police personnel and POS operators implicated would face serious penalties.
The statement read,”Despite previous directives, it has come to the attention of the Force leadership that some Commands and Formations continue to flout this regulation.
“As such, the IGP warns that any violation of this ban will attract severe sanctions on the leadership of the affected Commands and Formations.
“The IGP notes that the use of electronic payment devices within police facilities poses significant risks, including the potential compromise of sensitive information, financial irregularities, and the facilitation of illicit activities, therefore, strict adherence to this directive is non-negotiable.
“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.”