Plateau Police Warn Personnel: Searching Phones Without Warrant Is Unlawful

The Plateau State Police Command has issued a stern warning to its personnel, prohibiting the unlawful demand and search of citizens' mobile phones. Commissioner of Police Bassey Ewah addressed officers in Jos, emphasizing that no police personnel possess the legal authority to search a citizen's phone on the road without a court warrant.

Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, conveyed Ewah's directive in a statement. Alabo reiterated the command's commitment to professionalism and cautioned officers against engaging in unprofessional conduct. He urged residents to politely decline any attempts by officers to search their phones without proper legal authorization and to report such incidents to the nearest police station.

The PPRO provided several phone numbers for residents to report harassment: 08034448617, 08060545670, 08037681026, 09016146804, and 09051145757. Alabo reaffirmed the command's dedication to safeguarding the lives, property, and rights of law-abiding citizens, aligning its practices with global standards.

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No personnel of this command has the legal authority to search mobile phone of any citizen on the road without a court warrant