The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, has warned Nigerians not to allow police officers to carry out random searches of their mobile phones, stressing that such actions are illegal and contrary to the directives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking during an interactive session with young people in Abuja, Sanusi said the order was issued to address the abuse of power and extortion allegedly carried out by some officers who unlawfully stop members of the public and demand access to their phones.
According to the police commissioner, officers are not permitted to stop people on the road and search their phones simply because they suspect them of being internet fraudsters.
"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," Sanusi said.
He explained that although mobile phones can be used in the commission of crimes and may serve as evidence during investigations, police officers must first make a lawful arrest and take the suspect to a police station before carrying out any examination of the device as part of a proper criminal investigation.
"This does not negate the fact that phones are also being used to commit crime. But before such a thing can happen, the person must have committed the crime, must have been properly arrested and brought to the station. Then, when trying to uncover evidence, you can search to see whether the phone or other items were used to perpetrate the crime," he stated.
Sanusi maintained that randomly stopping citizens on the street and demanding access to their phones has no legal backing.
"For you to just stop anybody on the road and say, 'Bring your phone, let me search,' is not legal," he said.
The FCT police chief further urged Nigerians to remain calm but firm if confronted with such requests. He advised members of the public not to unlock their phones for officers conducting unlawful roadside checks and encouraged them to seek assistance by contacting the police or asking bystanders to help alert nearby officers.
"If any policeman stops you on the road, according to the instructions of the Inspector-General of Police, which we are bound to obey, don't open your phone. Resist and ask other people to help you call the police. You will see our men there," Sanusi added.
He also encouraged anyone who experiences harassment, intimidation, extortion, or other forms of police misconduct to report the incident through the nearest police station or via the complaint channels provided by the FCT Police Command.
Sanusi's remarks have since attracted widespread attention, with many Nigerians welcoming the clarification and calling for stricter enforcement of the directive to curb unlawful phone searches and improve public confidence in the police.
“Don't Allow Any Police Officers To Search Your Phone and we’re saying this due to the abuse and extortive tendencies of some of our officers. No police officer have the right to search your phone”
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) July 20, 2026
- FCT Commissioner Of Police Charge Nigeria Youths pic.twitter.com/wPh2nwVRbO
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