Plateau Police Commissioner Bans Officers from Searching Citizens’ Phones Without Warrant

The Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, Bassey Ewah, has issued a stern directive prohibiting police officers from stopping members of the public to conduct warrantless searches of their mobile phones.

In a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, Alabo Alfred, the Commissioner emphasized that no officer possesses the legal authority to demand access to a citizen’s private device during stop-and-search operations without a valid court warrant. He categorized such actions as unprofessional and a violation of citizens’ fundamental rights.

The command encouraged residents to politely refuse any unauthorized demands to inspect their phones and urged the public to report any officers engaged in this practice through official complaint channels.

The Commissioner reaffirmed that the command is committed to upholding the rule of law and maintaining professional conduct. He noted that the directive is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that police operations in the state align with established legal standards and global best practices, prioritizing the protection of citizens’ privacy and safety.