THE Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ahmed Sanusi, has advised residents to resist attempts by police officers and personnel of sister security agencies to search their mobile phones during routine stop-and-search operations.
News Point Nigeria reports that Sanusi gave the warning during a press briefing in Abuja, where he stated that searching citizens’ mobile devices during roadside encounters without following due process violates the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The FCT police boss said officers are not authorised to stop individuals on the road and demand access to their phones merely on suspicion that they are involved in internet fraud or other criminal activities.
According to him, the directive was issued following complaints of abuse of power, intimidation and extortion by some security personnel during stop-and-search operations.
He stressed that every officer of the Nigeria Police Force is expected to strictly comply with the instructions of the IGP.
“It has been clearly stated that, of course, due to the abuse and extortion tendencies of some officers and men of not only the police but even other sister agencies,” Sanusi said.
“It has been instructed that nobody should search any phone, especially when you just arrest somebody on the road, and you say bring your phone, and you start searching because you are suspecting the person to be Yahoo Yahoo.
“This does not negate the fact that phones are also being used to commit crime.”
Sanusi explained that while mobile phones can be used in criminal activities, officers cannot lawfully demand access to citizens’ devices during roadside checks based solely on suspicion.
He said phone searches can only take place after a person has been properly arrested for an alleged offence and taken through the appropriate legal process.
The commissioner therefore urged residents of the FCT not to surrender their phones when officers demand to search them during routine stops.
He advised members of the public to seek assistance from nearby persons and contact police emergency or complaint channels whenever such incidents occur, so that the officers involved can be investigated.
“But of course, before such a thing can happen, the person must have committed a crime, must have been properly arrested, and brought to the station,” he said.
“Then, when trying to uncover some evidence, you can now start searching to see whether your phone or other items are being used to commit or perpetrate such a crime.
“But for you to just stop anybody on the road and say bring your phone; let me search. You have some amount on your phone.”
Sanusi further reiterated that residents should not willingly provide access to their phones during unlawful roadside searches.
“That’s why, 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 agree.
“Don’t open your phones; resist. Ask the nearby people to help you call the police hotline, emergency line.”
The commissioner added that residents outside the FCT who experience similar incidents should report them to the commissioners of police in their respective state commands.