Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been advised not to surrender their mobile phones to police officers for inspection unless the officers possess proper legal authorization.

The warning was issued by the Commissioner of Police in the FCT as part of efforts to strengthen professionalism within the command and protect the constitutional rights of citizens. The directive comes amid growing concerns over complaints from members of the public regarding unauthorized searches conducted during stop-and-search operations.

According to the police chief, officers are expected to carry out their duties within the boundaries of the law and must avoid practices that could undermine public confidence in the force. He emphasized that mobile devices contain private information and cannot be searched arbitrarily.

The renewed caution is also intended to educate residents about their rights during encounters with security personnel. Authorities said members of the public should cooperate with lawful police investigations while remaining aware of legal procedures governing searches and arrests.

Addressing officers, the commissioner stressed that professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights remain central to effective policing. Security personnel were reminded that maintaining public trust is essential to crime prevention and intelligence gathering.

The police leadership has repeatedly warned personnel against acts capable of damaging the image of the force, including extortion, intimidation and unauthorized access to citizens’ personal devices.

Speaking on the issue, the commissioner maintained that no police officer has the legal authority to search the mobile phone of any citizen on the road without a court warrant or other lawful approval.

He encouraged residents to politely reject unlawful requests and report any misconduct through the appropriate complaint channels. The warning forms part of broader efforts aimed at promoting accountability among officers and protecting citizens from abuse.

Police authorities have increasingly emphasized respect for due process in recent months. Similar directives have been issued in other commands across the country as concerns continue to mount over allegations of harassment and improper stop-and-search practices.

Legal experts have long argued that personal devices contain sensitive information, including financial records, private conversations, photographs and confidential documents. Because of this, access to such devices is generally governed by constitutional protections and legal procedures designed to safeguard citizens’ privacy.

Human rights advocates have welcomed repeated warnings from police authorities, saying they could help reduce friction between officers and the public. They argue that clearer rules and stronger enforcement of disciplinary measures are necessary to curb abuses and build trust.

The issue of phone searches has become particularly important in urban areas such as Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, where residents have occasionally raised concerns about encounters with security personnel at checkpoints and during patrols.

Police officials insist that while officers retain the authority to investigate crimes and apprehend suspects, those powers must be exercised responsibly and within the framework of the law. Commanders have repeatedly stated that misconduct by individual officers should not define the institution as a whole.

Beyond the issue of phone inspections, senior officers have also warned personnel against corruption and other forms of unprofessional behaviour, insisting that law enforcement officers must uphold the highest standards of integrity.

Residents have been encouraged to remain calm during interactions with police officers, request identification where necessary and make use of official complaint mechanisms whenever they believe their rights have been violated.

Security analysts say continuous public education and strict enforcement of internal disciplinary measures will play an important role in ensuring that policing practices remain transparent, lawful and respectful of citizens’ fundamental rights.