Don’t allow any police officer search your phone – Police mommissioner warns

The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ahmed Sanusi, has urged Abuja residents to refuse any attempt by police officers to search their mobile phones during routine stops or arrests, describing the practice as unlawful.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Sanusi said the directive aligns with the instructions of the Inspector-General of Police and is aimed at curbing abuse of power and extortion by some officers.

He stressed that residents should immediately raise an alarm if any officer demands access to their phones without following due legal process, assuring the public that the FCT Police Command would respond promptly to such incidents.

"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," Sanusi said.

The police chief acknowledged that mobile phones can serve as evidence in criminal investigations but maintained that officers must follow established legal procedures before conducting any search.

"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."

He explained that a phone may only be examined after a suspect has been lawfully arrested, taken to a police station, and investigators are seeking evidence directly connected to an alleged offence.

"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."

Sanusi emphasized that random phone searches conducted during roadside stops have no legal basis.

"But for you to just stop anybody on the road and say bring your phone, let me search, is not legal."

Reaffirming the Inspector-General's directive, the commissioner advised residents not to unlock or hand over their phones if confronted with such a demand. Instead, he encouraged them to seek help from bystanders and contact the police immediately.

"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."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Olomo TIMES (@olomotimes)