The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 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). He made the remarks during a press briefing in Abuja while reiterating the police leadership’s stance against unlawful phone searches.
Sanusi explained that although mobile phones can serve as evidence in criminal investigations, officers are not permitted to demand access to a person’s device on the roadside. He said a phone may only be examined after a suspect has been lawfully arrested, taken to a police station and the search is carried out as part of a legitimate investigation in accordance with the law.
The FCT police chief urged members of the public to politely refuse any request by officers to inspect their phones during routine checks. He encouraged residents who encounter such situations within the FCT to contact the police emergency line or report the officers to the command immediately, assuring them that appropriate action would be taken against any officer found violating the directive.
Sanusi noted that the ban on roadside phone searches was introduced because the practice had become associated with harassment, extortion and abuse by some security personnel. He reaffirmed that the FCT Police Command remains committed to enforcing the Inspector-General’s directive and warned that erring officers would face disciplinary measures.
The warning comes shortly after the FCT Police Command arrested four officers accused of illegally extorting ₦53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) during an unauthorised stop-and-search operation in Abuja. The incident has renewed public attention on police accountability and citizens’ rights during encounters with law enforcement.
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