The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reiterated the ban on the utilisation of Point of Sale, POS, machines and other electronic mobile money transaction devices within police stations and other police facilities nationwide.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement he issued.
According to him, the order followed public outcry on alleged illegal and illicit transactions through POS machine operators and connivance with certain police operatives.
He said the ban was aimed at preserving the integrity and security of police operations, forestalling perceived corrupt practices, as well as clearing the commands and formations of possible criminal intrusion under such guise, and maintaining discipline within the Force.
The spokesman said despite previous directives, it had come to the attention of the Force leadership that some commands and formations continued to flout the regulation.
He said consequently, the IGP had warned that any violation of the ban would attract severe sanctions on the leadership of 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,” the Force PRO stated
