The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ahmed Sanusi, has warned residents of Abuja not to allow police officers to search their mobile phones during routine stops or arrests on the road.
Sanusi gave the warning on Monday while speaking with journalists in Abuja. He said the directive became necessary because of complaints involving misconduct and extortion by some officers who unlawfully demand access to citizens’ phones.
The police commissioner stated that no officer has the authority to stop a person on the road and immediately begin searching through their phone without following due process.
He stressed that such actions are against existing instructions and should not be tolerated by members of the public.
According to him, residents who find themselves in such situations should immediately raise an alarm and seek assistance from nearby people.
He assured that the FCT Police Command would respond to reports of such misconduct and take appropriate action against any officer found violating the directive.
“Don’t allow any police officers to search your phone and we’re saying this due to the abuse and extortive tendencies of some of our officers.
“It has been instructed that nobody should search any phone, especially when you just arrest somebody on the road and you start searching the person’s phone, suspecting that he is an internet fraudster.
“This does not negate the fact that phones are also being used to commit crime. But of course, before such a thing can happen, the person must have committed the crime, must have been properly arrested and brought to the station, then when trying to uncover some evidence, you can search to see whether the phone or other items are being used to perpetuate the crime.
“But for you to just stop anybody on the road and say bring your phone, let me search, is not legal.
“If any policeman stops you on the road, according to the instructions of the Inspector-General of Police, which we are bound to obey to the last of it, don’t open your phone, resist and ask other people to help you call the police. You will see our men there.”
Sanusi explained that while mobile phones can serve as important evidence during criminal investigations, access to such devices must follow established legal procedures.
He said a suspect must first be linked to a specific offence, lawfully arrested, and taken to a police facility before investigators can seek to examine materials that may assist an investigation.
The commissioner noted that the directive does not prevent security agencies from carrying out legitimate investigations.
Rather, it is aimed at protecting the rights of citizens and preventing abuse by officers who use roadside checks as an opportunity to harass or extort members of the public.
His remarks come amid longstanding public concerns over the conduct of some security personnel, particularly allegations involving arbitrary phone searches, intimidation and extortion of young Nigerians.
In recent years, complaints about unlawful phone checks have repeatedly surfaced on social media and through petitions submitted to police authorities and human rights groups.
Sanusi said the FCT Command remains committed to professional policing and urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement officers who act within the law.
At the same time, he encouraged members of the public to report any officer who violates established procedures or engages in conduct capable of bringing the police force into disrepute.
He reiterated that officers are expected to operate strictly within the framework of the law and in line with directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police.
According to him, any action that infringes on the rights of citizens will not be condoned by the command.
The police chief also called on residents to remain vigilant and to immediately alert the authorities whenever they witness acts of misconduct by officers on patrol or during stop-and-search operations.
