The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, has warned Nigerian youths not to allow police officers to search their mobile phones, saying the practice has been abused by some personnel for harassment and extortion.
Speaking during an engagement with young people in Abuja, the police commissioner said officers have no legal right to carry out indiscriminate searches of citizens' phones, noting that the directive became necessary because of the misconduct of some police personnel.
Police have no right to search phones
"Don't allow any police officer to search your phone and we're saying this due to the abuse and extortive tendencies of some of our officers. No police officer has the right to search your phone," Sanusi said.
He urged residents to politely decline any unlawful request by police officers to search their phones and report incidents of harassment, extortion or other forms of misconduct to the nearest police station or through the FCT Police Command's complaint channels.
Commissioner reaffirms commitment to professionalism
The commissioner reiterated the command's commitment to professionalism and warned officers against engaging in unprofessional conduct capable of eroding public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
His remarks come amid renewed efforts by the FCT Police Command to tackle misconduct within its ranks. Earlier this week, the command commenced orderly room trial of four police officers accused of abandoning their official duties, engaging in unauthorised traffic enforcement and allegedly extorting a motorist in Abuja. The disciplinary proceedings were ordered after the officers were arrested over the alleged incident.
Growing concerns over unlawful phone searches
The latest warning follows growing concerns over complaints from Nigerians, particularly young people, about unlawful phone searches and extortion by some police officers during stop-and-search operations.
