“FCT Police Chief Warns Abuja Residents, Youths Against Unlawful Phone Searches During Stop and Search”

“FCT Police Chief Warns Abuja Residents, Youths Against Unlawful Phone Searches During Stop and Search”

The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ahmed Sanusi, has advised residents, particularly young people, not to allow police officers to conduct arbitrary searches of their mobile phones during roadside stop and search operations.

Sanusi issued the warning on Monday, July 20, 2026, while addressing journalists in Abuja, explaining that the directive was aimed at curbing alleged abuses and extortion linked to the unlawful demand for access to citizens’ mobile devices.

The FCT police chief said officers are not permitted to stop individuals on the road and immediately demand to search their phones merely on suspicion that they may be involved in internet fraud or other criminal activities.

According to him, while mobile phones can serve as evidence in criminal investigations, any search of a device must follow due process. He explained that where a person has been lawfully arrested on reasonable grounds, the phone may subsequently be examined as part of an investigation at the appropriate police facility.

Sanusi urged residents who encounter officers demanding to search their phones without following due process to resist the demand peacefully and seek assistance by contacting the police through appropriate channels.

The directive comes amid renewed national discussions about police stop and search practices, citizens’ privacy rights and allegations of harassment and extortion, particularly involving young Nigerians.

Similar directives have also been issued by police authorities in other parts of the country. In July 2026, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police warned officers against searching citizens’ phones on the road without a court warrant, while the Lagos State Police Command has also previously directed personnel to stop the practice of arbitrary phone searches.

The FCT Police Command’s position underscores the need for law enforcement operations to balance crime prevention with respect for citizens’ constitutional rights and lawful investigative procedures.