By Faith Chondol
The Plateau State Police Command has declared that no police officer has the legal authority to stop citizens on the road and search their mobile phones without a court warrant.
The directive was issued on Thursday in Jos by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah, through a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo.
The command said the warning forms part of its renewed commitment to professionalism, accountability, and respect for the fundamental rights of citizens in the discharge of policing duties across the state.
Ewah reaffirmed the command’s zero-tolerance policy against misconduct and other forms of unprofessional conduct by police personnel, warning officers against engaging in unlawful searches of citizens’ mobile devices.
He urged residents to politely decline any illegal request by police officers to inspect the contents of their phones, stressing that such searches can only be conducted with the backing of a valid court warrant.
The commissioner also encouraged members of the public to report any officer who violates the directive through the command’s official complaint channels, assuring that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against erring personnel.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while upholding the constitutional rights of all residents through professional policing that aligns with the rule of law and international best practices.
Post Comment