FCT Police Commissioner Ahmed Sanusi has advised Abuja residents, particularly young people, to refuse police officers' requests to search their mobile phones during stop-and-search operations. Speaking at a press conference covered by News Century Television, Sanusi emphasized that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has banned random phone searches due to widespread abuse by officers and personnel of other security agencies who used the practice to extort money from the public.
Police Chief Warns Against Illegal Roadside Searches
“Nobody should search any phone,” Sanusi stated in a video circulating on X on Tuesday, July 21. However, he clarified that phones may still be examined during a criminal investigation, but only after a suspect has been lawfully arrested and taken to a police station. According to him, officers have no right to stop someone on the road, suspect them of internet fraud or any other offense, and demand access to their phone. “Don’t agree. Don’t open your phones. Resist,” he urged residents, referring to unlawful roadside phone searches.
What Residents Should Do
The police commissioner advised anyone confronted by officers demanding to search their phone to contact the police emergency line or ask nearby people to help reach the police. Those outside the FCT should report such officers to the Commissioner of Police in their state. Sanusi also warned that any officer who ignores the Inspector-General's directive will face disciplinary action. He said the FCT Police Command remains committed to enforcing the ban, noting that officers caught carrying out illegal phone searches would be sanctioned.
Police Arrest 4 Officers Over ICPC Chairman Extortion
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that four police officers were arrested after allegedly extorting N53,000 from ICPC chairman Musa Aliyu during an illegal roadside operation in Abuja without knowing his identity. FCT Police Commissioner Ahmed Sanusi said investigations showed the officers abandoned their assigned duty posts, mounted an unauthorized checkpoint, and allegedly forced Aliyu to withdraw cash from a POS operator before sharing the money.
