The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ahmed Sanusi, has advised residents, especially young people, not to permit police officers to search their mobile phones during routine stop-and-search operations, stressing that such actions contravene directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, Sanusi said the police leadership had expressly prohibited officers from conducting indiscriminate searches of citizens’ phones due to widespread complaints of abuse and extortion.
According to him, while mobile phones can serve as important evidence in criminal investigations, officers are only permitted to examine them after a suspect has been lawfully arrested and taken to a police station as part of an ongoing investigation.
He explained that the ban on random phone searches does not prevent law enforcement agencies from investigating crimes committed with the aid of mobile devices. However, he emphasized that due process must be followed before any search can take place.
Sanusi noted that officers have no right to stop individuals on the road and demand access to their phones based solely on suspicion of internet fraud or other offences. He urged residents to refuse such requests and report offending officers.
The police commissioner encouraged members of the public who encounter officers demanding phone access to contact the police emergency line or seek assistance from nearby police personnel. He said complaints within the FCT would be handled by the command, while incidents occurring elsewhere should be reported to the relevant state police commissioner.
Reaffirming the FCT Police Command’s commitment to enforcing the IGP’s directive, Sanusi warned that any officer found engaging in unauthorized phone searches or related misconduct would face disciplinary measures.
He maintained that the command remains firmly opposed to arbitrary phone searches and pledged to sanction officers who violate the established guidelines, describing such actions as unacceptable and contrary to professional policing standards.
