The Plateau State Police Command has warned its officers against unlawfully demanding or searching the mobile phones of citizens, stressing that such actions are illegal without a valid court warrant.
The directive was issued by the Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, during an address to police personnel in Jos. According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, the warning is part of efforts to promote professionalism and protect citizens’ rights.
“No personnel of this command has the legal authority to search the mobile phone of any citizen on the road without a court warrant,” the commissioner stated.
The Police Commissioner also urged officers to maintain professional conduct while carrying out their duties and warned against any form of harassment or abuse of power.
Residents were advised to politely refuse any unlawful request to search their phones and immediately report such incidents to the nearest police station or through the command’s official complaint channels.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lives, property and fundamental rights of law-abiding residents in line with global policing standards.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
