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The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, CP Ahmed Sanusi, has advised residents, especially young people, not to allow police officers to search their phones during stop-and-search operations. He said such actions go against the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
Sanusi made this known on Tuesday during a press briefing aired by _News Central Television_. He stressed that officers are not permitted to randomly check people’s phones.
“On the issue of phone searching, it has been clearly stated. Because of the way some officers and men, not just from the Police but also other agencies, have abused it for extortion, the directive is that no one should search any phone,” he said.
The CP noted that although phones can be used as evidence in crimes, they should only be searched after a suspect has been duly arrested and taken to the station.
“It doesn’t mean phones are not used to commit crimes. But the person must first commit the offence, be properly arrested and taken to the station. That is when, in the process of gathering evidence, you can check if the phone or other items were used,” he explained.
He cautioned officers against stopping people on the road to demand their phones based on suspicion of internet fraud or other crimes.
“If a policeman just stops you on the road and says, ‘Bring your phone, let me check it’ or ‘You have so much money in your account’ — according to the IGP’s instruction which we must obey, don’t agree. Don’t unlock your phone. Resist it,” Sanusi urged.
He also advised members of the public to call the police emergency line or alert nearby officers if they encounter such demands.
“Get people around to help you call the police emergency number. Our men will be there and we will ask them why. If it’s within the FCT, we will handle it. If it’s outside, then contact the CP of that command,” he said.
Sanusi reiterated the command’s resolve to enforce the IGP’s directive and warned that any officer found culpable would face disciplinary action.
“We remain opposed to it. We will enforce the IG’s order. Some of them do it because they are criminally minded and want to extort. Once we catch them, they will face disciplinary measures and the full consequences,” he added.
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