By Our Correspondent
Jos — The Plateau State Police Command has issued a firm directive prohibiting officers from stopping members of the public to search the contents of their mobile phones without a valid court-issued warrant, reaffirming its commitment to protecting citizens' constitutional rights and promoting professional policing.
The directive was announced by the Commissioner of Police, Bassey Ewah, in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday through the Command's Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred.
According to the statement, the Commissioner stressed that no police officer attached to the Plateau State Police Command has the legal authority to compel any citizen to surrender a mobile phone for inspection without obtaining a court warrant.
The statement read in part: “In line with his unwavering stance against misconduct and unprofessional behaviour, CP Bassey Ewah reiterates unequivocally that no officer of the Plateau State Police Command has the authority to stop any citizen and search the contents of their mobile phone without a court warrant.”
The Police Commissioner described the directive as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen professionalism within the Command, eliminate misconduct, and ensure that officers carry out their duties within the confines of the law.
He urged residents of Plateau State to remain law-abiding but to politely decline any unlawful request by officers seeking to access their mobile phones without proper legal authorisation.
Ewah also encouraged members of the public to report any officer found violating the directive through the appropriate police complaint and disciplinary channels, assuring them that reports of misconduct would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate sanctions imposed where necessary.
The Commissioner reiterated that the Command remains committed to respecting and protecting the fundamental human rights of citizens while maintaining law and order across the state.
He noted that effective policing can only thrive where there is mutual trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, adding that adherence to constitutional provisions and due process is essential to building public confidence in the police.
Ewah further assured residents that the Plateau State Police Command would continue to safeguard lives, property and civil liberties while discharging its constitutional responsibilities in line with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and internationally accepted policing standards.
The latest directive is expected to reinforce public confidence in the Police Force amid growing calls for greater accountability, respect for human rights and an end to arbitrary phone searches by security personnel across the country. It also serves as a reminder to officers that intelligence gathering and criminal investigations must be conducted strictly within the framework of the law and with due regard for the rights and dignity of every citizen.
