The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered stoppage of Point-of-Sales (POS) machines and other electronic mobile money transaction devices within police stations and other police facilities nationwide.
Egbetokun said the ban became imperative following public outcry on alleged illegal and illicit transactions of POS machine operators with certain police operatives.
The police boss, who spoke through the force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the ban was aimed at preserving the integrity and security of police operation.
He stressed that the directive was also to forestall perceived corrupt practices, adding that it was to clear the Commands or Formations of possible criminal intrusion under such guise, and maintaining discipline within the Force.
The top cop said any command or formation caught flouting the order would be severely dealt with while police officers and POS operators involved would face dire consequences.
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.”