By Milcah Tanimu

Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, has addressed the recent altercation between Big Brother Naija ‘Level Up’ winner, Phyna, and a police officer. The incident occurred when the police officer filmed Phyna during a stop and search operation on a highway, leading to a heated exchange.

The police officer explained that capturing photos and videos of individuals during such operations is lawful. Phyna, on the other hand, expressed her disbelief at this law, having never heard of it before. She also questioned why some people were advocating for action against her and why she was facing hatred.

In response, SP Benjamin Hundeyin pointed out a double standard in how Nigerians react to filming by police officers and how they perceive it as harassment when the same is done to them. He highlighted the inconsistency in people’s reactions and emphasized that Phyna was recorded because she was breaking a traffic rule, and the footage served as evidence.

“If you were in my shoes, somebody carries a phone on your face, you’ll get angry. You’ll get angry! – a Nigerian 🙄

You guys can’t even take what you dish out. A police officer uses his phone to record you, not randomly, but while you’re breaking a traffic rule, and you’re all worked up about it, asking which law empowers him to rightfully get evidence. You’re unusual.

But the law does not matter when you record police officers in the line of duty, sometimes just to agitate them and quickly scream harassment.”

The incident also involved another BBNaija star, Hermes, who was subjected to an unnecessary stop and search by Nigerian police. Hermes expressed his frustration and accused the police officers of taking his phone worth 1.4 million naira during the search.

The situation highlights the complex relationship between law enforcement, citizens, and the use of mobile devices in such encounters.