The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Sanusi, has advised residents, particularly young people, not to allow police officers to search their mobile phones during stop-and-search operations, stressing that such actions violate the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, Sanusi said the IGP had expressly prohibited officers from randomly demanding access to the phones of members of the public due to repeated cases of abuse of power, harassment and extortion by some security personnel. He noted that the directive applies to police officers and other law enforcement agencies.
According to the police commissioner, while mobile phones can serve as vital evidence in criminal investigations, they should only be examined after a suspect has been lawfully arrested, taken to a police station and is being investigated in line with due process. He explained that officers have no legal basis to stop people on the road and demand access to their phones simply because they suspect them of internet fraud or any other offence.
Sanusi urged residents to firmly decline any request by officers to search their phones during routine stop-and-search operations. He advised anyone confronted in such circumstances to immediately seek help by calling the police emergency line or alerting nearby officers within the FCT, adding that the command would investigate and take appropriate action against any erring personnel.
Reaffirming the FCT Police Command’s commitment to the Inspector-General’s directive, Sanusi warned that officers found violating the order would face disciplinary measures. He said the command remains determined to eliminate misconduct within its ranks and ensure that policing is carried out professionally, lawfully and with full respect for the rights of citizens.
