Viral photo of police recruit with iPhone 12 Pro triggers reactions

A photograph showing a police recruit holding an iPhone 12 Pro during a recruitment screening exercise in Delta State has stirred reactions on social media, drawing a response from the spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe.

The image, taken during the screening exercise in Asaba, circulated widely on X (formerly Twitter), with many users commenting on the recruit’s use of the high-end smartphone while undergoing the selection process.

The photo sparked debate among Nigerians about the perceived financial status of police personnel, particularly new recruits.

The discussion began after a social media user posted the image with a caption in Nigerian Pidgin expressing surprise at the recruit’s device.

“Recruit done dey use 12 Pro?” the user wrote, implying that a trainee police officer would typically not own such an expensive phone.

Reacting to the trending conversation, Edafe—known for his active presence on social media—offered a lighthearted but pointed response.

“So that tomorrow when you see a policeman using it, you won’t ask many questions,” he wrote.

His comment was widely interpreted as a subtle attempt to challenge the stereotype that police officers who own expensive personal items must have obtained them through questionable means.

By pointing out that recruits may already possess such items before joining the force, the police spokesperson suggested that assumptions about officers’ personal belongings may not always reflect reality.