The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, has advised Nigerians not to allow police officers to carry out indiscriminate searches of their mobile phones during routine encounters.
Speaking during an engagement with young people in Abuja, Sanusi said police officers do not have the legal authority to randomly search the phones of members of the public, noting that the warning became necessary because of the misconduct and extortion allegedly carried out by some officers.
He urged residents to politely decline any unlawful request to inspect their phones and encouraged anyone who experiences harassment, extortion or other forms of misconduct to report the incident to the nearest police station or through the FCT Police Command’s official complaint channels.
According to the police commissioner, mobile phones may be searched only when they are relevant to a criminal investigation and after a suspect has been lawfully arrested and taken to a police station.
“Don’t allow any police officer to search your phone, and we’re saying this because of the abuse and extortive tendencies of some of our officers,” Sanusi said.
He explained that officers should not stop people on the road and immediately begin searching their phones based solely on suspicion of internet fr*ud or other offences.
Sanusi added that while mobile phones can serve as evidence during criminal investigations, such searches must follow due process.
He further stated that anyone stopped by an officer demanding access to their phone should refuse the request and seek assistance, noting that the directive aligns with instructions issued by the Inspector-General of Police.
Watch the video below…
“No police officer has the right to search your phone.” — FCT Commissioner of Police issues a strong message to residents. pic.twitter.com/YuoYew8uBR
— NaijaWide Media (@Naijawide01) July 21, 2026
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