Searching citizens’ phones unlawful, Police warn personnel

By Henry Nnam

Plateau Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah has warned personnel of the command that they have no legal authority to search mobile phone of any citizen a court warrant.

Ewah, the Commissioner of Police in the state gave the warning while addressing the Command’s personnel in Jos.

He therefore warned the personnel against unlawfully demanding and searching of citizen’s mobile phones.

Mr Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Jos.

“No personnel of this command has the legal authority to search mobile phone of any citizen on the road without a court warrant,” Alabo quoted Ewah as saying.

The PPRO said that the commissioner, who reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism, warned personnel against unprofessional conducts.

He added that the commissioner advised residents to politely decline any unlawful attempt by personnel to search their phones and report such to the nearest Police station.

Alabo also advised residents of the state to report any incident of harassment through the following phone numbers: 08034448617, 08060545670, 08037681026, 09016146804, and 09051145757.

The PPRO further reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting the lives, property and rights of law abiding residents in line with global best practices.

(NAN)